Match Report - By Secretary

RORY McALLISTER was just inches away from a hat-trick that could have sent patched-up Brechin into extra time.

The City frontman was already two goals to the good when he fired a deft chip over Stephen Grindlay.

But the Ayr keeper scrambled back to smother the ball on the line and let his team-mates breathe again.

two goals in two minutes from Kenny Connolly and Chris Aitken steered Ayr to a 5-2 aggregate win and a two-leg final against Airdrie United.

McAllister said:"I thought the ball was going in. I stopped then started again but if I'd kept going I probably would have scored.

"As soon as I missed I thought here we go.When you miss a great chance often everything falls against you."

After having lost the first leg 2-0 City fell three behind when Bryan Prunty hit the opener in 15 minutes.

McAllister's two goals - the second from a penalty - put the wind up United before Connelly and Aitken made the game safe for the Somerset Park men.

Ayr manager Brian Reid said:"We got complacent after scoring but I'm delighted to be in the play-off final."

Brechin boss Jim Duffy said: "Two inches can be crucial - had it gone to 3-1 it would have been interesting