Falkirk 2-1 Ayr United: Bairns come from behind to book Hampden Scottish Cup semi-final
Falkirk will be the first team from the third tier of Scottish football to play in a Scottish Cup semi-final for 16 years after defeating Ayr United in the quarter-finals of the competition on Monday night in front of the BBC television cameras.
John McGlynn’s Bairns will now have a showpiece semi-final to look forward in April after their 2-1 victory over the Honest Men at the Falkirk Stadium in what a swaying, classic cup tie.
Substitute Kai Kennedy grabbed the winner with a deflected strike ten minutes from time, just moments after Chris Maguire had missed a penalty kick in a classic topsy-turvy cup tie.
Ayr were the better team early on, and Dipo Akinyemi scored the opener for the travelling Honest Men when he fired home from the edge of the box 13 minutes into the match.
And Lee Bullen’s men took control and looked for a second goal, with Akinyemi going close again forcing Brian Kinnear into a smart stop five minutes later.
Moments later, Chris Maguire threaded through an inch-perfect pass to Sam Ashford and his ball across to Akinyemi – who fluffed his lines in front of an open goal.
As the half came to a close, Falkirk finally started to come into the tie with Coll Donaldson missing two decent chances in the box.
The first one was flicked onto him by Liam Henderson in the box and he headed over from a few yards . He then miscontrolled a Brad McKay knock down in the six-yard box with the goal gaping.
In the second half, McGlynn’s men pushed on and began to take control of the tie.
Donaldson went close again, this time just sending a near post header past the post as Falkirk chased an equalising goal.
The boss made a double substitution with Gary Oliver and Kennedy coming on for Matthew Wright and Aidan Nesbitt, and it paid off big time.
In the 67th minute, the Bairns finally got their leveller from the spot through Morrison, after Frankie Musonda handled in the box.
Ayr then had a short spell of pressure, with Kinnear making a stunning trio of saves to deny the away side a quick goal.
And with nine minutes to go, it looked like it wouldn’t the Falkirk’s night when Donaldson felled an Ayr body in the box – with Nick Walsh pointing to the spot.
But Maguire hit the bar with his effort to keep the score level.
Two minutes later, Kennedy shot from range, and with the aid of a deflection, found Falkirk’s winning goal to send them to Hampden.
McGlynn’s side will take on Inverness Caledonian Thistle on the weekend of April 29/30.