Livingston 1 - 2 Ayr United: Delayed action sees Honest Men sink Livi

THIS match survived both a pitch inspection and a faulty alarm system which caused a 15-minute delay. However, both sides made up for lost time with an entertaining tie which saw United live up to their reputation as cup specialists.

Livingston were faster out of the blocks and could have been ahead with numerous early chances. The best of them was fired wide in just two minutes by Marc McNulty.

Ayr gradually came into it and Michael McGowan’s cross-shot almost dipped under the bar with Andy McNeil flapping in the home goal. McGowan tried his luck with a carbon copy moments later and this time McNeil was on his toes to claw it away.

However, the Honest Men did go ahead before the break when Mark Roberts sent over a teasing cross which was played on by Michael Moffat and Tam McManus before Andy Geggan applied the finishing touch from close range.

The lead lasted just a couple of minutes before United failed to clear Mark Fotheringham’s corner and McNulty rifled the loose ball into the net.

A thrilling encounter took another twist when McGowan restored Ayr’s lead with a wonderful solo effort, the winger jinking his way into the box before lashing in an unstoppable shot from an acute angle.