Part-timers relying on hard work

LIAM Tomsett is confident that Ayr’s part-time status will not derail their bid to reach the last four of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

United face Hibernian at Somerset Park this afternoon after beating Livingston in the Irn-Bru First Division on Tuesday.

Despite training just twice a week, the on-loan Blackpool midfielder believes Ayr can be more than a match for SPL opponents.

Brian Reid’s side proved they could do that over the course of 2011 – beating Hibs after a replay in last season’s competition before knocking Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Hearts and St Mirren out on their way to a Scottish Communities League Cup semi-final defeat by Kilmarnock deep in extra-time. “The game against Hibernian is a big challenge but we are all looking forward to it,” Tomsett said.

“Being part-time is certainly a hindrance for us, but we have shown everyone what we can do in the cup games and against the majority of the teams in the league who are full-time.

“I think that shows what you can achieve with the players around you and a bit of hard work.”

Ayr have moved seven points clear of Queen of the South at the foot of the First Division with back-to-back wins over Falkirk and Livingston. Tomsett added: “In our last few games we have had some really good results and started to put pressure on the teams around us at the bottom of the league. Hopefully that will give us confidence within us all and we can move up the table.”