Michael Stewart
Former Scotland international on BBC Sportscene

Airdrie aren't getting the same joy up top anymore.

Now it just feels like they're lumping it forward and not getting the same result they were earlier on.

Jamie Murphy tries his luck with a volley from 25-yards.

Never troubling the Airdrie goal there.

Both teams showing wee flashes of quality without putting anything too menacing together so far.

Feels like it could burst into life. Fingers crossed!

Image source, SNS

The hosts managing to ask a few questions of the Airdrie backline here.

Another ball into the box is safely into the arms of Robbie Hemfrey on this occasion.

Ayr's turn to probe as they knock it around in search of an opening.

Mark McKenzie tries to flick on a delivery into the box but Airdrie manage to clear their lines.

Inviting ball looped in as Airdrie attempt to crank up the pressure.

Nikolay Todorov just can't quite get on the end of it. This one is speedy.

And Airdrie are straight up the other end and forcing Joshua Clark into his first save of the night.

Fierce strike from Aaron Lyall is parried well. We're flying already...

Early sight of goal for Anton Dowds.

Well-worked corner finds the Ayr striker but his low drive is blocked.

Would have been some start, that.

Off we go!

A big game for both teams. Who will start Easter weekend with a smile on their face?

Here comes the teams and Somerset Park is sounding pretty rowdy.

Class.

Image source, SNS

In my humble opinion, every club in Scotland should have a board exactly like the one at Somerset Park.

They might be building a new stand and all that carry on, but this wee box is one of the best sights in Scottish football.

Image source, SNS

Amy Canavan
BBC Scotland at Somerset Park

Image source, SNS

Somerset Park’s fancy new stand caught my eye, unsurprisingly, as I trotted in tonight. Snazzy. Not a word usually used to describe this place.

Alas, the more things change the more they stay the same on Friday nights. The football is always frenetic.

What a league.

Image source, SNS

Airdieonians player-manager Rhys McCabe speaks to BBC Scotland about last week's SPFL Trust Trophy Triumph: "It's huge for the club to have a bit of silverware to go with the hard work and effort the boys have put in.

"It's more about getting that to the back of the mind and focusing on tonight.

"If some players take some added incentive then great. I don't, but we've got a job to do tonight.

"It's a tough game, we've not managed to get a result against Ayr this season."

Image source, SNS

Ayr United manager Scott Brown tells BBC Scotland: "It’s been good to come back up to Scotland. There’s been some high and lows so far. For us, we need to be that little bit more consistent.

"The lads have been sensational since we’ve came in, they’ve done everything we’ve asked of them.

"Anyone can beat anyone in this league. On the day, you need to make sure you work harder than the other team.

"The lads have been brilliant in training. We can hopefully put that [defeat last weekend] right tonight."

Image source, SNS

It's a pretty special time to be an Airdrie fan.

Aside from dusting off the trophy cabinet, the newly-promoted team have adapted admirably to life in the second tier while playing one of the best brands of football in the SPFL.

Does it always work out? Maybe not. But Rhys McCabe's side are almost always fun to watch.

Hope I haven't jinxed it...

Scott Brown's tenure at Ayr United has been the definition of stop-start.

A commendable defeat at Rangers in the Scottish Cup aside, they've won then lost every league under the former Scotland skipper.

WLWLWLWL.

Quite remarkable. Considering they were comfortably beaten by Queen's Park last weekend - despite the narrow scoreline - that's an encouraging omen for the Honest Men. I think.

Image source, SNS

How are the heads, lads?

I'm sure it wasn't a quiet one in Airdrie on Sunday night as Diamonds fans watched their team lift their first piece of silverware in 15 years.

Rhys McCabe's men came from behind to end The New Saints of Wales' hopes of a unprecedented quadruple and win the SPFL Trust Trophy.

And aye, they fair enjoyed it.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Telly on, troops.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

And that was just one of the many issues on the table when the Ayr boss - and one of Scottish football's most iconic figures - sat down with our man Jonathan Sutherland.

You can read more right here, or have a listen in part one of this special episode of the Scottish Football Podcast.