United victorious in Hampden Park shootout

William Hill Scottish Cup Fourth Round Replay
QUEENS PARK 2
AYR UNITED 2 (Ayr win 5-4 on penalties)
by Calum Campbell
HEROIC goalkeeper Greg Fleming again came to the rescue in a berve-jangling penalty shoot-out as Ayr United finally overcame League One outfit Queens Park to move into the fifth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup. 
After Paul Cairney had missed for the Honest Men, penalty save specialist Fleming pulled off two saves - (one from Bryan Wharton to bring Ayr back even and then finally from Gregor Fotheringham) to put United through.
Ayr had to work hard to overcome Queens Park and were caught cold after only four minutes when the impressive Paul Woods steered the ball into the net after meeting Burns’ cross from the right. 
United pushed for the equaliser with both Craig Moore (twice) and Gary Harkins coming close before a horrendous misunderstanding in defence in 25 minutes brought United level. 
Queens keeper Muir passed forward but Moore stepped to steal the ball before moving into the box and slamming it into the net.
Ayr seemed to be in total control and gaining confidence but in 32 minutes they were knocked back on their heels when Wharton fired the ball into the net after Fleming had attempted to punch clear.
United should have equalised just three minutes later when Harkins pounced on another defensive mistake and put Moore through one-on-one with keeper Willie Muir, who somehow managed to save when it looked certain the striker would score.
The second half proved frustrating for Ayr as Queens Park sat deep and relied on infrequent counter attacks. 
Ian McCall's side appeared to have a stonewall penalty as Brian Gilmour was thrown to the ground but referee Barry Cook seemed oblivious to the incident. 
Seven minutes from time, Ayr were finally rewarded for their persistence. A Cairney corner was met by Conrad Balatoni and his header somehow slipped under keeper Muir and into the net.
As the game entered extra-time Queens Park were deal a blow when Burns was sent off for a second bookable offence as he took out skipper Nicky Devlin at the edge of the penalty area.
The visitors continued to dominate but were thwarted by Queens' never-say-die defensive attitude. 
In 103 minutes Harkins seemed to have won it for Ayr when, with his volley rocketing toward the far top corner, Muir pulled off a remarkable one-handed save to turn the ball wide.
With extra-time remaining goalless, it was time for a penalty shoot-out. 
After nerve-wracking moments when Cairney slipped the ball past the post missing Ayr’s third penalty, it fell to Fleming’s penalty saving skills to put Ayr into the last 16. 
Ayr will now face either Clyde or Stirling Albion in the fifth round.