Brockville memories at Ayr's Somerset Park home

The Bairns could have been paired with one of the ‘non-domestic’ teams – Welsh duo Bala Town and New Saints or Northern Ireland’s representatives Crusaders and Linfield.

But whatever the thoughts on the influx of ‘new’ teams to the competition, the meeting with Ayr is a lot less ‘exotic’ than it could have been. Falkirk face Ian McCall’s side at The Falkirk Stadium on September 24, just two weekends before the scheduled Irn-Bru Cup weekend where the reverse fixture will take place.

The Bairns are record holders in the competition having won it the most times, but exited the competition further along the A77 in Stranraer last season.

They’ll pitch up at Somerset Park with a good idea of what Ayr are all about having met them just two games before.

Boss Peter Houston said: “I’m probably happy to have avoided the trip to Northern Ireland and Wales – a bit of the unknown.

“I looked at the draw and wondered who I wanted or wanted to avoid. It was hard. Forfar two leagues below us are no mugs – they put Raith Rovers out and I watched them while watching

Kevin O’Hara, they are a decent side. I forgot about it and just accepted who we were drawn.

“We’ll do our match homework for the league game and we’ll know what we’ll face two weeks afterwards.

“It’s a fantastic club. Ayr United and Somerset Park reminds me a bit about Brockville with the terracing and atmosphere. I’ve been looking forward to going back there. I played there a lot and you always got a good Falkirk support, a good home support and a bit of banter between them.

“In my career I’ve never had an easy game there. Ian (McCall) will be pleased they have the home side of it.”

Ties are due to be played on the next international weekend – October 8/9