Inverness CT 1-1 Ayr United (4-2 agg): hosts set up play-off semi-final meeting with Dundee United
- Published
Coll Donaldson headed in the equaliser for Inverness
Inverness Caledonian Thistle are through to the semi-final of the Scottish Premiership play-offs after a 1-1 draw with Ayr secured a 4-2 aggregate win.
Luke McCowan opened the scoring for the visitors before Coll Donaldson headed Inverness level 11 minutes from time.
The Highland side will now host Dundee United in the first leg of the play-off semi-final on Tuesday.
The return leg is at Tannadice on Friday, 17 May.
Trailing 3-1 from the first leg, Ayr started brightly and 19-year-old McCowan's right-footed shot into the top right-hand corner after 19 minutes gave them the perfect start.
Chasing a second that would have forced extra-time, Ayr's Robbie Crawford failed to take two chances after the break.
Lawrence Shankland's efforts were also cleared by Donaldson and Jamie McCart for Inverness, while goalkeeper Mark Ridgers also denied Ayr's star striker.
But Donaldson's glancing header from Liam Polworth's free-kick ensured Inverness would be the side who are still in with a chance of playing Premiership football next season.
'I want to win the Championship' - reaction
Inverness manager John Robertson: "It's a strange situation defending a two-goal lead at home - it's awkward. The players weren't sure whether to go for it or to sit back and we were a bit safe. I thought we looked very nervous in the first 15-20 minutes. Ayr got a beautifully-worked goal and that woke us up a bit. These matches are done over 180 minutes and we've come through it."
Ayr manager Ian McCall: "I'm very disappointed. I'm very proud of the players and what they've put in over two years and a lot of them will be leaving us for bigger clubs. I thought we were the better team in both games in terms of playing football and passing the ball but ultimately theses games are about getting through.
"We need to rebuild and bring in some players. I want to build a team to try and win the Championship."