Ayr United 0-1 Kilmarnock: Player ratings

 

Ayr United

Kevin Cuthbert - 9.0: The former St Johnstone keeper was outstanding, making a string of world class saves as his side had their backs to the wall throughout, and if not for him Ayr could have lost by a lot more.  

Jonathan Tiffoney – 7.5: The young full back was more than willing to push forward, especially late on as he looked to provide support to Michael McGowan in front of him, but failed to deliver the final ball to help his side.  

Eddie Malone – 5.0: Had a really poor game as James Dayton continually tormented him down the right wing, with Malone only gaining relief when the Kilmarnock playmaker went off to be replaced by David Silva.

John Robertson – 7.0: The 35 year-old was a rock at the back for Ayr United as he and Chris Smith continually stopped Kilmarnock from winning by a greater margin. Also had a superb chance in extra time to take the game to penalties.

Chris Smith – 7.0: The former Rangers youth player was also a major performer for The Honest Men as he continually blocked the Kilmarnock forward line from getting near to Kevin Cuthbert’s goal.

Andy Geggan – 6.5: Geggan tried to help his side by pushing forward, but rarely found a way past the Kilmarnock midfield in order to help Gareth Wardlaw. He had a few attempts on Cammy Bell’s goal, but never troubled the keeper.

Alan Trouten – 6.5: Tried to offer himself in the midfield area, but often found himself on the defensive as Kilmarnock looked to push on throughout the game.

Jamie McKernon – 6.0: The on-loan St Mirren youngster offered little for the Somerset Park side as he was found wanting at times coming up against the Kilmarnock midfield.

Michael Moffat – 7.0: Playing in the unfamiliar left wing role, Moffat attempted to provide support for Gareth Wardlaw, but he failed to do so for most of the time, with his only opportunities to get forward coming from counter attacks.  

Gareth Wardlaw – 5.5: Was an isolated figure in the Ayr United forward line and as such he rarely troubled the Kilmarnock defence or their keeper Cammy Bell. Was eventually replaced by Mark Roberts.

Michael McGowan – 7.0: Looked to create for Ayr United any time he got a hold of the ball and attempted to help Jonathan Tiffoney out when Ben Gordon raced forward for Killie in an attacking position.

Substitutes:

Mark Roberts – 6.5: The former Kilmarnock striker came on to a chorus of boos from those dressed in blue and white as he replaced Gareth Wardlaw, but he didn’t let that get to him as he constantly harassed the Killie defence, but couldn’t find a way towards Bell’s goal.

Adam Dodd – 6.5: Replaced Jamie McKernon and added a vital spark to the Ayr United midfield that was sorely missing during the previous 75 minutes

Liam Tomsett – 6.0: The on-loan Blackpool midfielder could have got on the scoresheet within minutes of coming on for Alan Trouten. Played some good passes, but couldn’t find the equaliser.

Kilmarnock:

Cammy Bell – 6.5: The Kilmarnock stopper may not have an easier game all season, was rarely troubled by the Ayr United attack, but on the occasion that he was called into action he looked uncomfortable with Liam Tomsett’s strike, which he spilled.

Ben Gordon – 7.0: Showed the pace that made him a favourite with the Kilmarnock faithful during his first loan spell, putting Jonathan Tiffoney under pressure and had a few chances to get on the scoresheet.

Garry Hay – 6.0: Didn’t have the type of game he would have liked, wasting the chances that came his way, while also giving away many fouls.

James Fowler – 6.0: The 31-year-old full back was another underperforming player for Kenny Shiels side as he rarely troubled the Ayr United defence going forward, but had nothing from Michael Moffat to trouble him.

Manuel Pascali – 7.0: Marshalled the backline for Kilmarnock throughout and also was unlucky not to score a couple of times as he managed to get onto the end of corners, but couldn’t find the finish.

Michael Nelson – 6.5: Powerful centre half helped snuff out any chance that Ayr United had during the game, helping make Cammy Bell feel more comfortable than in Killie’s previous game against Dunfermline.

Dean Shiels – 7.5: The attacking midfielder was in the right place at the right time in order to put Kilmarnock into the final, and put the Ayr United defence under tremendous pressure throughout the entire game.  

Liam Kelly – 7.0: The Scotland under-21 international controlled the midfield during the game, helping to provide support to Paul Heffernan up front.

Paul Heffernan – 7.0: Caused panic in the Ayr United defence throughout, but wasn’t provided the kind of service that he would have liked in order to open the scoring earlier on.

James Dayton – 8.5: Was superb for Kilmarnock as he continually tormented Eddie Malone in the left back position for Ayr, but was let down at times by his teammates not getting into space for his crosses.

Gary Harkins – 7.0: Had a comfortable game for Kilmarnock, but never really exploited the Ayr United defence as he would have wanted to.

Substitutes:

Danny Racchi – 6.5: Replaced Gary Harkins at the end of regulation time and helped see the Rugby Park over the line with some good midfield play.

David Silva – 6.0: Came on for James Dayton and could have opened the scoring at the start of the first extra time period, and also managed to do some defensive work to prevent an Ayr United goal before the end of the game.

Danny Buijs – 6.0: Replaced Garry Hay at half time in extra time and was immediately involved in the goal that helped Kilmarnock win the game.