st. johnstone vs ayr: Late comeback forces penalties as Max Thompson sends Ayr into semi
Ayr United edged through to the KDM Trophy semi-finals after a pulsating, stop-start quarter-final at Falkirk Stadium that finished level after 90 minutes and was decided by penalties. The Honest Men looked comfortable at 3-1 before two stoppage-time goals from St. Johnstone forced spot kicks, where on-loan goalkeeper Max Thompson stepped up with two crucial saves to secure a 5-4 shootout win.
Drama in Falkirk: how the match unfolded
The rescheduled tie, delayed multiple times due to a waterlogged pitch at the original venue, was played Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 2: 45pm ET. Ayr dominated large spells and struck early when Anton Dowds created the opening for George Oakley, who finished clinically. Oakley added a second before the break, capitalising after Ayr’s initial pressure produced another chance.
St. Johnstone pulled one back when Josh McPake was fouled in the box; he converted the resulting penalty to make it 2-1. The visitors’ hopes of a fightback were dealt a blow immediately after the interval when Kevin Holt volleyed home from close range following a Stuart Bannigan set-piece delivery, restoring Ayr’s two-goal cushion.
For much of the evening it looked like a straightforward progression for Ayr, who controlled possession and fashioned further openings. Yet the closing stages produced a dramatic reversal. Liam Smith’s angled strike reduced the deficit with the clock winding down and, deep into stoppage time, Ayr conceded a penalty. Jamie Gullan sent the ball in on the rebound after the initial attempt was saved, forcing the contest into a shootout.
Thompson the difference in the shootout
Goalkeeper Max Thompson — on loan and standing in for the visitors — held his nerve. In the penalty lottery he made two decisive saves, denying attempts from two key St. Johnstone takers and allowing Ayr to prevail 5-4 from the spot. The victory capped a turbulent night in which the tie had been moved to neutral territory after three postponements at the original ground.
Thompson’s performance will be remembered for its composure under pressure. His late penalty saves followed a match in which Ayr’s forwards had done most of the damage, but the keeper’s contributions ensured that the visitors did not rue their defensive lapse in stoppage time.
Route to the semi and what’s next
With the win, Ayr advance to meet Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the semi-final scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 24. That tie is set for 2: 45pm ET and completes the first of two midweek semis, with the other taking place Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 2: 45pm ET. Ties in this competition are decided by penalties if level after 90 minutes, ensuring that knockout drama is guaranteed right through to the final stages.
For St. Johnstone, it was a night of frustration. Twice postponed fixtures and a late collapse will prompt reflection on game management in the closing minutes. For Ayr, there will be celebrations tempered by the recognition that they barely survived a late onslaught — and that the semi-final against a top League One club will demand more of the same grit and concentration.
Tuesday’s win in Falkirk keeps Ayr on course in the KDM Trophy and delivers one of the most eventful quarter-finals of the competition so far. The Honest Men now have less than a week to prepare for Inverness as they chase a place in the final four.
