Ayr United 1 - 1 Brechin City: Craig Nelson saves City

It looked as if Ayr striker Michael Moffat and visiting goalkeeper Craig Nelson would be the main players in the first leg of the First Division Play-off final until Brechin substitute Neil Janczyk popped up with an unexpected and undeserved equaliser.

Moffat scored a fine opening goal and veteran shot-stopper Nelson was the reason that his side are still in the tie after a superb second half display.

The home side had the first opening when Jim Lachlan crossed from the right and Stuart Bannigan looked set to head home, however he never got enough contact on the ball and the chance was lost.

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Moffat then struck in 31 minutes to show why the Honest Men's fans have taken him to their hearts just four months after stepping up from Ayrshire Junior side Girvan. Mark Roberts headed the ball into his path and Moffat showed great composure to dummy his marker and fire home from eight yards out.

Scott McLaughlin, Roberts and then Moffat were all denied by Nelson as Ayr looked to put the tie out of sight, and when Nelson was beaten, Ewan Moyes popped up on the line to clear Ryan McCann's header.

Brechin rarely threatened but, five minutes from time, Janczyk curled in a free kick from the right with his left foot and the ball deceived the home defence and nestled in the far corner of Alan Martin's goal.

Ayr: Martin, Lachlan, Smith, Malone, Campbell, McCann (Tiffoney 86), McLaughlin, Trouten, Moffat, Roberts (Rodgers 86), Bannigan (Easton 83). Subs not used: Robertson, Crawford.

Brechin: Nelson, Cook, McLean, McLauchlan, Moyes, Redman, McKenna (Byers 81), Molloy, McAllister, Megginson (Janczyk 74), Kirkpatrick (Fusco 54). Subs not used: White, Scott,.