Published: Thursday, 21st May, 2009 12:00pm

ROBERTS AT THE DOUBLE TO KEEP PROMOTION DREAM ALIVE

by Stewart McConnell

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Barr's Irn-Bru Scottish League First Division Playoff Final, First Leg: AYR UNITED 2 AIRDRIE UNITED 2

A BARNSTORMING second half comeback saw striker Mark Roberts blast a double against his former club to keep Ayr"s dreams of a return to the First Division very much alive.

We can now look forward to a thrilling conclusion at the Excelsior Stadium on Sunday with the tie very much in the balance.

However the Honest Men missed a glorious chance to take a lead into the return leg after skipper Chris Aitken missed a penalty just minutes after they had drawn level.

While the Diamonds were the sharper side in the opening period United seized the game by the scruff of the neck after the break and had the visitors under relentless pressure.

Following a very cagey start by both sides former Ayr man Paul Lovering became the first entry in referee Eddie Smith"s book for a late tackle on Dean Keenan in nine minutes. But back at the other end two minutes later Lovering had a 30-yard shot easily saved by visiting keeper Stephen Robertson.

By far the best opportunity of the game to date fell to Ayr in 19 minutes when Keenan"s wondrous shot from fully 30 yards produced a stunning reflex save from the Diamonds number one. Ten minutes later a Paul Di Giacomo shot was deflected wide by an Ayr defender. But from Darren Smith"s resultant corner-kick former Killie man Di Giacomo forced the ball over the line from four yards.

Still Ayr kept pushing and in 33 minutes a 20-yard effort from Willie Easton was confidently stopped by Robertson.

Goalkeeper Stephen Grindlay came to Ayr"s rescue in 39 minutes as he produced a stunning stop to thwart Scott McLaughlin 20 yards from goal.

However just a minute from half-time it was disaster for Ayr as Scott Walker was booked for a foul just outside the box on Smith and the resultant free-kick from McLaughlin was powerfully headed home by John Baird although TV pictures suggested the ball took a slight deflection off United defender Walker.

It was game very much on two minutes after the restart as Roberts smashed the ball home from 12 yards to reduce the deficit.

As Ayr began to pound the Airdrie goal a 22-yard effort from Aitken glanced narrowly wide of target in 52 minutes and two minutes later at the other end a curling free-kick from Smith glanced just past a post. Grindlay confidently saved McLaughlin"s free-kick from 25 yards in 59 minutes.

Seven minutes later it was all-square as impressive Willie Easton played a perfect pass to Roberts to thunder the ball low into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

As Airdrie pushed forward Neil McGowan made a telling tackle on Smith just over the halfway line in 70 minutes, knowing if he had broken free he could gone on to have scored.

In 73 minutes Ayr were awarded a penalty when Scott Walker was sent tumbling in the box. But Aitken seemed to rush the spot-kick and it was easily saved by Robertson.

Three minutes from time McGowan was sent off for a second bookable offence but it had no bearing on the outcome of the match and Ayr held on for a draw.

AYR UNITED: Stephen Grindlay 7; Allan Dempsie 6; Neil McGowan 6; Scott Walker 5; Martyn Campbell 6; Kenny Connolly 7; Dean Keenan 7; Chris Aitken 6; Bryan Prunty 5 (David Gormley 64, 6); Mark Roberts 9; Willie Easton 8. Subs not used: Murray Henderson, Ally Woodburn, Ryan Borris.