Published: Wednesday, 24th December, 2008 11:54am

Ayr United date with destiny - and Killie

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AYR UNITED 3 LOCHEE UNITED 1

Stewart McConnell at Somerset Park

A DATE with destiny in the shape of a tantalising New Year derby showdown with Kilmarnock back here on January 10 was set-up by the Honest Men as they finally saw off the battling Bluebells with an accomplished display two nights before Christmas.

Centre-half Neil McGowan shrugged off a sickness bug to break the deadlock with a debut goal for United and man of the match David Gormley and top-scoring hitman Bryan Prunty were also on the scoresheet as the Dundee Junior side finally succumbed following 180 minutes of absorbing football.

Later McGowan, just back from suspension admitted he was positively relishing the hotly anticipated Fourth Round duel with the Rugby Parkers which could hardly be more apt as it will come just under two weeks before the 250th anniversary of the legendary Bard"s birth and punters will be hoping the football on show is poetry in motion.

He said: 'A few of my friends are Kilmarnock season ticket holders and have already been texting me to say what songs they will be singing come the big day. It was nice to get a goal although I am hardly a prolific scorer, having scored just about seven times in 400 games and hopefully I can get some more. I knew it would be a tough game as I was talking to my brother Chris who is involved in the Junior game with Irvine Meadow. We look forward to the Killie game but to have a chance we will have to be at our best and hope they are not, I went off early in the second half as I have been suffering with a bit of a sickness bug so I sat down and sipped some water.'

Added boss Brian Reid: 'The most important thing is to be through. It was disappointing to lose a goal. There was a lot at stake and the pressure was on us but we settled well after we got the opening goal. We look forward to the Killie game, we have a good record against them. But for now we have to focus on the important league games coming up.'

Following a sluggish start Lochee were first to show and in eight minutes Scott Walker made an important tackle on opening game goalscorer Philip Hagan 30 yards from goal and a minute later a 25-yard effort from Gary Middleton glanced just past a post.

Back at the other end in 19 minutes a cross just evaded the outstretched leg of Gormley 12 yards from goal.

The hosts came agonisingly close four minutes later as a free-kick from skipper Chris Aitken was knocked on by Ryan Stevenson to Ryan Borris and was deflected wide by a defender.

The impressive Gormley headed a Borris cross inches past a post from eight yards in 32 minutes and two minutes later a rifling drive from 25 yards by Stevenson was parried by goalkeeper Ian Ross. However the deadlock was finally broken in 37 minutes as an Aitken corner-kick was headed high into the net at the near post by McGowan. Ross then came rushing out to block from Prunty four minutes from half-time.

Eight minutes after the break the Honest Men doubled their advantage as Gormley sent home a spectacular diving header from a Borris cross. Then four minutes later it was all over as the impressive Borris slipped a precision pass to Prunty to sweep the ball home from 12 yards.

As United continued to lay siege to the Lochee goal a Gormley rocket from 20 yards crashed off the crossbar. Lochee kept plugging away and in 74 minutes a Middleton effort from 12 yards was well saved by David Grindlay. Two minutes later they pulled a goal back as their starman Blackwood swept home an unstoppable 20-yard drive.

In 77 minutes Lochee were reduced to 10 men when Charlie Cargill was sent off for a second booking.

Attn: 2045

AYR UNITED: Stephen Grindlay 7; Dean Keenan 6; Neil McGowan 7 (Allan Dempsie 61); Scott Walker 7; Murray Henderson 7; Ryan Stevenson 8; Ryan Borris 8; Chris Aitken 7; David Gormley 8 (Alex Williams 82, 4); Willie Easton 8 (Scott Agnew 78, 4). Subs not used: Stewart, Weaver.

STAR MAN: David Gormley 3

Ryan Borris 2

Ryan Stevenson 1.

LOCHEE UNITED: Ross; Krobot; Hay; MacMillan; Dailly (Abbott 89); Thomson (Blackwood 61); Cargill, Middleton; Hagan (Watson 83); Robertson. Subs not used: Bruce.