Early goals see Saints go marching on as they dream of day out at Hampden
AYR UNITED 0 ST MIRREN 2
Mcallister (7), Kiltie (24)
The Saints went marching into the last 16 thanks to goals from Kyle Mcallister and Greg Kiltie, leaving boss Jim Goodwin dreaming of another cup run to Hampden.
Last season’s semifinalists were never in trouble as they enjoyed their day at the seaside before a boisterous section of travelling fans.
Goodwin said: “When the draw was made and you were to pick out a few banana skins this would have been amongst them.
“I’m really pleased with the application from the players. We started a bit slow in the first three or four minutes but we got that first goal which was really important.
“The second goal was really worked and a brilliant finish. At halftime we felt a third goal would have killed the game completely but unfortunately it didn’t come.
“A clean sheet, a couple of goals and into the hat for the next round is all you can ask for.
“Prior to the Dundee United game in midweek we couldn’t buy a win, then all of a sudden you get a couple in space of five days.
“I knew we would bring a big travelling support, I was thinking maybe 1,000 but I wasn’t thinking 2,000. They were outstanding.
“Every fan, every manager has that dream of getting back to Hampden. We’re in the last 16 and if the draw is kind you never know, you could find yourself in a quarter-final and then you’re within touching distance of Hampden again.
“We would love to get back there with our fans behind us this time and
with our families in the stand cheering us on. That’s the incentive from every team out there now.
“We recalled Cammy Macpherson on Friday from his loan at St Johnstone who have offered him a precontract which I am led to believe Cammy has agreed to.
“We can’t be doing any
of our Premier League rivals any favours. If they want him, they’ll have to pay a fee to come and get him, otherwise he will stay with us.”
Buddies took only seven minutes to strike when Scott Tanser pinged over a cross and Mcallister was left with an easy task to head past Aidan Mcadams.
Jordan Houston then scrambled away a Kiltie cross at the back post and from the resultant corner, taken by Jay Henderson, the ball was punched clear by Mcadams.
St Mirren were knocking on the door and a second goal was delayed only until the 24th minute.
Henderson, who scored his first senior goal at Tannadice, turned provider with a neat pass and Kiltie buried a superb finish past the helpless Mcadams.
It should have been three and easy for Saints eight minutes before the interval when Mcallister carved open the Ayr defence but Kristian Dennis blew a golden chance at the back post.
Mcadams rescued
Ayr on the hour with a wonderful save to push over a rocket shot from Connor Rowan that was bound for the top of the net. Then Kiltie was only inches out with a low driven shot.
Ayr summoned Tomi Adeloye from the bench and the 10-goal striker went close with a header from a Daire O’connor corner.
Honest Men boss Lee Bullen sighed: “The early goal knocked the stuffing out of us and we looked to lose a bit of confidence in the shape we were trying to play.
“The second goal was the killer and then we had to readjust. Every game is a learning one for us at the moment.
“Our bread and butter is next week in the league and we have five games in two weeks coming up including a big derby.”