- The visitors took an early lead through Owen Stirton, before Joe Hugill levelled things up just before the interval.
- Ross Taylor fired Ayr back in front early in the second period, but late goals from Michael Schjonning-Larsen and Clescenco completed the turnaround to seal Killie’s spot in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals.
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You can expect a certain degree of understanding if the four goals conceded happen to arrive away from home on the first day of the league season.
Provided you take ownership of a preposterously open tactical approach the following week against Celtic, no Kilmarnock support will crucify you for being on the wrong end of a shellacking.
But lose to Ayr United on your own pristine Rugby Park surface? For Neil McCann, that would surely have been unforgivable in the eyes of the Killie faithful.
How badly he needed this dramatic victory. After a dismal start to the league campaign which had seen his side ship nine goals and fail to earn a single point, the sense of relief securing the local bragging rights will be huge.
His side were far from perfect. They lost poor goals at the outset of each half — a recurring theme — but got there in the end by netting twice inside the final 11 minutes. On balance, they just about deserved it.
Gary Naysmith, McCann’s erstwhile Hearts team-mate, will be dismayed that his Ayr side seemed to wilt with the winning post in sight.
Nicky Clescenco produced an ice-cool finish late on to complete the Killie comeback
Rugby Park was a riot of noise and colour for the first Ayrshire derby in over four years. McCann would have spent the entire week stressing the need for his players to be focused from the first whistle. Yet, inside five minutes they were behind.
Jamie Brandon needlessly turned the ball over in the right back-position. Scott McMann’s whipped cross was anticipated by Owen Stirton who gave his marker the slip. His volley had just enough pace to ensure Max Stryjek’s hand couldn’t keep it out.
With McMann sending a strike just wide on the counter soon after, it was initially a hard watch for the home supporters. McCann’s men saw plenty of the ball yet showed a lack of patience and invention with it.
Joe Hugill miscued when trying to guide Tom Lowery’s cross home. The link-up play was poor. They were anxious and second best to most loose balls.
That said, Ayr’s application to that point was extraordinary. They tracked runners and threw themselves in the line of fire on the rare occasion they were cut open.
McCann had to change something. It came with Brandon making way for Nicky Clescenco on 39 minutes. Within three minutes, the radical move coincided with the equaliser.
With Kilmarnock beginning to find pockets of space in the penalty box, Tyreece John-Jules fed Hugill. The forward produced a superb finish low into the bottom corner.
Killie’s concentration span lasted two minutes less at the start of the second period. From their own throw-in, Clescenco’s aimless header put Ross Taylor on his way.
The visitors went ahead for the second time through Ross Taylor early in the second half
Having taken one touch to steady himself, he drilled the ball low past Stryjek from the edge of the box.
Robbie Deas had a header deflected just wide with John-Jules sending another into the arms of Harry Stone. The keeper also tipped away Tom Lowery’s ambitious effort before sub Mark O’Hara’s failed to direct his header on target.
Having defended brilliantly all night, Ayr went to sleep as Killie levelled with 11 minutes remaining.
Michael Schjonning-Larsen picked the ball up 40 yards goal and simply motored forward without so much as a challenge. His thumping right-foot finish from the edge of the box flew past Stone.
Stone had been excellent, but erred horrible in the 89th minute, spilling a routine cross.
Clescenco kept his head in a chaotic penalty box, sending his chip spinning high into the net. For McCann, it might just be the start of something.
