Match Report - By John Hoey

The First Division Play-Off Final is finely balanced after City’s 1-1 draw against Ayr United at Somerset Park.

Michael Moffat had opened the scoring for the Honest Men on the half-hour mark slightly against the run of play, but a Neil Janczyk free-kick five minutes from time won City a share of the spoils and leaves the second-leg on a knife-edge.

City had to weather some very sustained Ayr pressure after the break but a combination of some great goalkeeping and poor finishing means that there is everything to play for in the second-leg this Sunday where hopefully home advantage will count in City’s favour.

There was a shock prior to kick-off when Roy McBain had to withdraw from the team after feeling unwell after the pre-match meal so Paul McLean returned to the defence at right-back with Andrew Cook moving over to the left. Gerry McGlauchlan who had been a doubt before the match was in his usual place at the heart of the City defence.

Ayr had a chance in the 8th minute when Scott McGlauchlin sent over a dangerous cross from the right which was just missed by Stuart Bannigan.

City hit back though and Ewan Moyes headed a Jordan Kirkpatrick corner over the bar six minutes later.

Ayr were having plenty of possession but it was City who looked more dangerous in the opening stages.

In the 16th minute, Rory McAllister played a good pass through to David McKenna but Eddie Malone cleared the ball away for a corner.

In the 25th minute, McLean played a good through ball to Mitch Megginson who bore in on goal but his cross into the box went just beyond the City strikers and three minutes later, McAllister fired a 30 yard free-kick just past the post.

City were having a good spell at this time but they fell behind a couple of minutes later.

Mark Roberts headed the ball into the path of fellow-striker Moffat who held off the challenge of McGlauchlan to fire the hosts in front.

Ayr started the second-half on the offensive and Nelson did really well to turn away an angular drive from McGlauchlin five minutes into the half. It was Jamie Redman’s turn to come to City’s rescue just five minutes later when he headed a Roberts effort off the line and in the 64th minute Craig Nelson brought off a great save to deny Moffat.

Ryan McCann then came close when his header from a Roberts cross beat Nelson but Ewan Moyes headed off the line.

Ayr were really firing on all cylinders but City scored a dramatic equaliser with just five minutes remaining.

A free-kick was awarded to the visitors on the right touchline and substitute Janczyk who had replaced Megginson in the 74th minute fired in a low drive which deceived keeper Alan Martin and his fellow defenders.

McAllister then came close for City before Alan Trouten scorned two decent opportunities in the final couple of minutes.

Post match interview with Jim Weir