Source: Team_Talk
Ford thrilled with cup exploits
The Honest Men led through a 10th-minute goal from Bryan Prunty but Ford netted twice and Mehdi Taouil also scored as Killie booked a trip to Inverness.Ford told Sky Sports: "I'm not one for scoring goals - I go out all the time and put them over the bar and miss easy chances."But I'm delighted to get two goals tonight and I'm delighted for us to be through."We were disappointed to draw at their place but we showed our quality today, even though I was disappointed with our first-half performance."Bryan Prunty controversially put Ayr ahead in the 10th minute of an enthralling fourth-round replay at Rugby Park when he appeared to use a hand to knock the ball past Killie goalkeeper Alan Combe.Ford added on Sky Sports 1: "I should have dealt with their goal earlier and tried to atone for the mistake in the second half."I was desperate to score, as you can see from the celebration."Taouil and Ford netted, after David Fernandez had been dismissed for appearing to strike Ayr defender Martyn Campbell.Fellow striker Allan Russell said: "Obviously the last game wasn't great - we should have won it but didn't."But all credit to us - we showed a bit of character tonight."Red cards happen; you know in your mind you have to work harder to protect the lead - and we did that."Inverness away is a tough one - they've all got a point to prove and may have a new manager by then. But with the right attitude, we hope we can get through to the next round."But it will be back to business tomorrow for us. We've got a game on Sunday - so it'll be home, bed, then training in the morning."Killie boss Jim Jeffries added on Sky Sports 1: "We wound David (Fernandez) up and said it was the best thing that could have happened."He said he didn't touch him [Campbell], but my first impression was 'you're off' - he swung an arm, and it was really silly. But passions run high in derby matches."Simon deserves a lot of credit for clinching it for us."We did it the hard way and continued to do what we were doing - and we got the goals."Down to 10 men, we were superb. We were the better team tonight, and that showed. But they were dogged and had something to hold on to."I think we deserved to be through to the next round but I hope they [Ayr] go on and get promoted - because they caused us problems in the two games."Ayr boss Brian Reid said: "We held our own for long spells, but superior finishing at the end cost us."We've defended well most of the season, but I said to the lads tonight 'you have got to be even more focused'."There were a couple of great deliveries. But we switched off, and to lose goals in that manner is disappointing."We certainly worked very hard but we'll learn from this. There are a lot of young boys in the team, and I hope this can help further their careers too."Prunty went off with an injury shortly after his goal, and Reid added: "Some decisions go for you, but it was a blow to lose him."It upsets your rhythm a wee bit when have to make changes - but I don't think it was an overall factor."Our main aim is to gain promotion, and the players need to focus on Sunday's big game (at home to Arbroath)."We had magnificent support tonight - 4,100 of them - and if we can give them promotion to cheer this season I'd be delighted."