Ayr's history men have the final say as Hibs crumble

Hibernian 0
Ayr United 1
Referee: M McCurry. Attendance: 11,779

AYR United, the team which none surpasses for putting supposedly superior opponents to the sword on cup business, last night exceeded all of their recent upset victories to reach the first major final of the club’s 92-year history.

Eddie Annand’s controversially-awarded penalty kick nine minutes into the first period of extra time was enough to earn the First Division side a return ticket to Hampden to face Rangers for the CIS Insurance Cup on 17 March.

While Hibs vigorously, and not without cause, disputed referee Mike McCurry’s view of Ian Murray’s collision with Ayr full-back John Robertson as he raced into the area, the reality is they have no-one to blame but themselves for this defeat.

Annand’s emphatic finish, sending Nick Colgan the wrong way as he drove the ball high into the net for his fourth goal of this season’s competition, was in stark contrast to the listless and angst-ridden performance of Franck Sauzee’s struggling side in what was largely a mundane and forgettable semi-final.

Add the name of Hibs to a Premier list which includes Kilmarnock, Dundee, Dunferline and Motherwell, all victims of Gordon Dalziel’s remarkable cup campaigners.

This is a shattering blow for Sauzee for whom a meeting with predecessor Alex McLeish’s new club next month would have greatly eased the pressure building on his so far uncertain reign.

Hibs, who came close to forcing a penalty shoot-out with efforts from Paul Fenwick and substitute Alen Orman after Ayr had scored, will take some time to recover from a loss which is damaging to both morale and club finances.

Ayr, for whom ex-Hibee Pat McGinlay was a giant, will be huge underdogs in the final but that matters little to them or their delirious support.

Hibs’ spirited performance against Celtic on Saturday had quelled many of the murmurs suggesting they would be ripe for the taking by opponents who have made a devoted hobby of collecting Premier scalps in cup competition.

There was certainly enough evidence in the opening 15 minutes, when the Easter Road side created three decent chances to make an early breakthrough, that they had recovered the confidence necessary to stamp their superiority on the tie.

Grant Brebner, maintaining the insistent form he had displayed against Celtic, was unable to match the quality and timing of his runs into the First Division side’s penalty area with suitable finishing.

The midfielder should unquestionably have scored with his first chance, carved out by neat play involving David Zitelli and John O’Neil, directing his shot straight at Craig Nelson who was able to parry.

While his next glimpse of goal was not as clear cut, the ball breaking to him after O’Neil and Neil Duffy had tussled in the area, Brebner would have been disappointed not to make a cleaner contact with his shot which was cleared off the line by Pat McGinlay.

Zitelli, recalled to the starting line-up in place of the injured Paco Luna, was not enjoying the best return to the colours. The French striker was guilty of wasteful delivery of two corner kicks during one spell of Hibs pressure then slashed a volley wildly over the top from close range.

Ayr, well disciplined in a 4-4-2 formation, appeared unruffled by those early moments of threat from Hibs and gradually began to enjoy a decent degree of possession.

James Grady, a pest of a striker who can upset the equilibrium of most defences, had Ayr’s best chance of an undeniably disappointing first half when he did well to hook in a left foot volley which Nick Colgan shuffled to his left to clutch.

Frustration appeared to get the better of Hibs captain O’Neil, his failure to seize control of the midfield battle earning him a booking for a foul on McGinlay, who was relishing the test against his old club.

Ayr’s supporters were growing in confidence and their team ended the half in the ascendancy, full-back John Robertson – now there’s a name to strike fear into Hibee hearts – surging forward into the box and having his shot blocked by Paul Fenwick.

The anxiety spreading through the Hibs ranks as Ayr gained a greater share of territory and possession in the turgid opening stages of the second half was palpable and Sauzee decided a change was in order, replacing the subdued Ulises De La Cruz with Alen Orman in 58 minutes.

The tie suddenly sparked into life, the two best opportunities thus far going begging, one at each end. McGinlay passed up a glorious chance to punish some sloppy Hibs defending when he drove the ball straight at Colgan after Eddie Annand’s flick had put him clear.

Zitelli’s miserable evening was then summed up as Hibs countered immediately, O’Connor’s strong run and precise cross from the right deserving better reward than his strike partner’s close-range header wide.

To no-one’s surprise, Zitelli was replaced almost immediately by Eduardo Hurtado as Hibs sought the means to find the elusive breakthrough.

Ayr, with Grady and Annand both foraging tirelessly and well supported from midfield by Paul Sheerin and McGinlay, looked every bit as likely to claim an opening which would spare the ordeal of extra-time.

Dalziel’s side were finding heroes all over the pitch, in fact, central defender David Craig rescuing a perilous situation 19 minutes from time with a last ditch penalty box tackle on O’Connor as he raced onto Hurtado’s pass.

Hibernian: Colgan, De La Cruz, Fenwick, Caldwell, Smith, Murray, Wiss, Brebner, O’Neil, Zitelli, O’Connor. Subs: Caig, Townsley, Orman, Hurtado, Riordan.

Ayr United: Nelson, Robertson, Lovering, Duffy, Hughes, Craig, Wilson, McGinlay, Annand, Grady, Sheerin. Subs: McEwan, McLaughlin, Sharp, Scally, Dodds.

Taken from the Scotsman