Resistance from Ayr frustrates Hibernian ambitions

Ayr United cast off 92 years of anonymity at Hampden Park last night by reaching the first final in their history by securing a place in next month's CIS Insurance Cup Final with Rangers.

The First Division side rode their luck to snatch victory in extra time through Eddie Annand's 99th-minute penalty, which was earned in fortunate circumstances after John Robertson stumbled rather than being tripped by Ian Murray.

However, for Hibernian and their manager, Franck Sauzée, it summed up a wretched season rapidly getting worse – a run of 17 games without a win. For the Frenchman, last night could not have illustrated more how his life has changed recently. Last May, he led Hibernian out on to the Hampden turf as captain in the Scottish Cup final defeat by Celtic, now he was confined to the dug-out, learning how neutered all managers feel.

Yet the former French international's nerves ought to have been soothed very early on. Twice sweeping moves allowed Grant Brebner a sight of the target, but goalkeeper Craig Nelson beat out the Hibs captain's first shot, and then Ayr's David Craig denied Brebner with a goal-line clearance.

Sauzée's side possessed the more fluent football, but Ayr were menacing on the break. Only the alertness of the home goalkeeper Nick Colgan prevented James Grady's hook-shot finding the net.

With the splendid John Hughes – one of three former Easter Road players in their ranks – dominant, Ayr's growing confidence was measured by the scare they induced just before the hour, when Annand's deft angled pass picked out the run of Pat McGinlay, but the man who scored 70 goals in 12 seasons at Hibernian saw his shot blocked by Colgan.

Sauzée introduced Alen Orman and the Bosnian drew a save out of Nelson within a minute of his arrival. Another replacement, Eduardo Hurtado, galloped away onto Paul Fenwick's long ball but, with Garry O'Connor screaming for a pass, David Craig rescued the First Division side with a lunging tackle inside the box.

Hibernian (3-5-2): Colgan; Smith, Caldwell, Fenwick; De La Cruz (Orman, 58), Wiss, Brebner, O'Neil, Murray; O'Connor (Riordan, 63), Zitelli (Hurtado, 63). Substitutes not used: Caig (gk), Townsley.

Ayr United (4-4-2): Nelson; Robertson, Hughes, Duffy, Lovering (Sharp, 111); Craig, Wilson (Scally, 90), McGinlay, Sheerin; Grady, Annand (McLaughlin, 119). Substitutes not used: Dodds (gk), McEwan.

Referee: M McCurry.

* The Rangers striker Claudio Caniggia was last night called up to the Argentina squad for the first time since 1996. The 35-year-old is in the party named for next Wednesday's friendly against Wales in Cardiff.