Ayr Utd 1-3 Airdrie Utd (agg. 1-3): Airdrie looking up as Ayr see red on the way down

RICKI Lamie has come a long way in twelve months and the youngster is hoping to help Airdrie complete the final leg of their own remarkable journey.

A year ago Lamie lined up for Whitburn FCA in a Youth Scottish Cup Final whereas now he is preparing for the First Divison promotion play-off final against Dumbarton.

Makeshift left-back Lamie was deputising for injured skipper Paul Lovering as the Diamonds condemned nine-man Ayr to the drop. He said: “A year ago I was playing boys’ club football and now I am in a play-off final.

“It was the under-19 Scottish Cup Final and it was played at Airdrie’s stadium but we got beat so I don’t like talking about it!”

The Somerset Park boo-boys targeted Lamie after he was on the receiving end of a poor challenge from Jackson Longridge, who was then sent off.

But the teenager shrugged off the jeers and believes Airdrie can clinch promotion against the Sons.

He added: “We are full of confidence going into the games against Dumbarton. We finished the season really well and this is a fantastic result for us.”

Derek Holmes gave Airdrie the lead after 54 minutes before Andy Greggan equalised for Ayr.

Airdrie responded immediately, however, with Holmes stabbing home his second before Willie McLaren’s late third. To make matters worse for the home side, Jonathan Tiffoney received Ayr’s second red card in the dying seconds.

Ayr will be playing in the Second Division next season and out-of-contract manager Brian Reid faces talks over his future. He said: “I’ve been here five years and I love Ayr United. We’ve had some good success but this is a big disappointment.”