Second-time hero Andy in for the Kil
Comeback star Geggs stuns Lee’s men
ANTHONY HAGGERTY AT SOMERSET PK
ANDY GEGGAN was walking on Ayr last night as he scored the winning goal on his second debut for the Honest Men.
Geggan headed home the only goal of the game on 39 minutes in this Betfred Cup Group E Ayrshire derby – to extend Kilmarnock’s 24-year hoodoo at Somerset Park.
Ian McCall’s League One side stunned Lee McCulloch’s Premiership men to give him a miserable start to life as Killie’s permanent manager.
The Ayr boss said: “We were the better team and deserved to win as we had all the best chances in the game.
“Jamie Adams was an absolute colossus for us. He has only trained three times and played half a game and worked on his farm the rest of the time.
“The atmosphere was magnificent. This won’t define our season but it’s good for the fans.”
McCall gave second debuts to returning fans favourites Geggan and Michael Moffat.
And McCulloch handed Iranian striker Alex Samizadeh, 18, a place on the bench after signing him on a season-long loan from Bolton.
He also gave first starts to four signings with Stephen O’Donnell, Kirk Broadfoot, Alan Power and Calum Water.
It was Ayr skipper Ross Docherty who had the first strike at goal after nine minutes that deflected off Scott Boyd and was easily gathered by Killie keeper Jamie MacDonald.
The hosts ought to have taken the lead on 21 minutes when Declan McDaid’s corner was met by Adams who bulleted a header towards goal.
But MacDonald pulled off a superb save on the line and Craig Moore bundled the rebound into the side netting.
Kris Boyd then gave away possession to Robbie Crawford who surged forward and released Moore whose low drive was brilliantly parried by MacDonald on 30 minutes.
McDaid forced another low diving save from MacDonald after a free-kick from the left and from the resultant set-piece Ayr went ahead.
The Ayr midfielder swung over the corner kick and Geggan powered home a free header for the opening goal.
Killie had a bit more urgency to their play in the early exchanges as McCulloch’s side chased an equaliser.
The away support howled for a penalty when Jordan Jones went down in the box on 52 minutes but referee John Beaton was unmoved by the appeals.
Rory McKenzie tried his luck on 54 minutes but Jordan Hart in the Ayr goal confidently smothered his shot.
Paddy Boyle brought out the best in MacDonald again with a side-footed effort on the hour that the keeper got down low to his right to stop.
But by the midway point in the second half the top-flight side hadn’t created a clear-cut chance of note.
Samizadeh took his Killie bow on 75 minutes when he came on for Power.
Moore then glanced a header straight at MacDonald as Ayr sought a killer second goal.
And Thomas scuffed a shot wide on 80 minutes as Killie threw everything at the hosts.
Moments later Jones cut inside from the left and unleashed a drive that was beaten away by Hart.
Crawford was then denied a superb solo second goal by the feet of MacDonald after a magnificent mazy run.
But third-tier Ayr comfortably held on to waltz off with the Ayrshire bragging rights.
And McCulloch said: “We started the game miles off it.
“We were better in the second half but we huffed and puffed. We lacked that cutting edge and final bit of quality.”
AYR – Hart, Geggan, Rose (Gilmour 59), Higgins, Boyle, McDaid, Docherty, Adams, Crawford, Moffat, Moore. Not used: Forrest, McGuffie, McCowan, Ferguson, Avci, Faulds.
KILMARNOCK – MacDonald, O’Donnell, Broadfoot, Scott Boyd, Waters, Wilson (Thomas 53), Power (Samizadeh 75), Frizzell, McKenzie (Graham 89), Jones, Kris Boyd. Not used: Higgins, Taylor, MacKay, Cameron.
REFEREE – John Beaton.