SPOT ON LADS
Accies squeeze through to meet Gers but Clyde suffer cup KO
AYR UNITED just edged past Clyde 2-1 in their Scottish Cup replay at Broadwood thanks to Michael Wardrobe’s goal three minutes from the end of extra-time.
But the Honest Men were given several frights before securing their berth against either Hearts or Hibs in Ediburgh in the next round.
The hosts looked set to take the lead after eight minutes when Phil Johnston’s long ball released Peter MacDonald and the striker lofted an effort out of the reach of visiting keeper Greg Fleming only to see it drop inches wide.
Sean Higgins was off target by a similar margin just a minute later with a fizzed 18-yard drive.
However, Declan McDaid finished in style with 11 minutes gone. The former Partick Thistle striker was picked out by Alan Forrest at the edge of the box and he sent a fierce drive past Connor Quinn for his first goal for Ayr.
Clyde looked to hit back quickly and came close on three occasions in a 10-minute flurry before the break.
A hooked effort from MacDonald had Fleming scrambling to save before David Gormley curled an effort wide and Paul Cairney almost headed into his own goal after more pressure. Ayr had the better of the opening stages of the second half with McDaid cracking in a shot that flashed past and substitute Michael Rose seeing a 25-yard effort brush against an upright.
It l ooked like Ayr would get the chance to see out the tie out when Smith sent McDaid tumbling in the box on 84 minutes, but referee Finnie was unimpressed and booked the striker for simulation.
Clyde made the most of that reprieve by drawing level with two minutes to go when Gormley headed in Scott Linton’s corner.
Conrad Balatoni missed the chance to avoid a extra-time when he fired wide in injury time and penalties were looming when Craig McGuffie’s cross was forced home by fellow sub Wardrobe.