Ayr United made to grind out Scottish Cup victory by non league Pollok

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Ben Dempsey's second half striked proved enough for Ayr United to send brave Pollok out of the Scottish Cup. The Englishman bagged his third goal in five games to break the deadlock just after half time as The Honest Men saw off the challenge of the men from Newslandsfield.It earns United a fourth round trip to fellow Championship side Cove Rangers, meaning Ayr will travel to the Balmoral Stadium on consecutive January weeks on cup and league business.Boss Lee Bullen had named a strong cup side with top gun Dipo Akinyemi leading the line.There was a first Somerset start of the season for summer recruit, David Bangala, while Aidan McAdams was also given an evening between the sticks.But if Ayr had any illusions they would get it all their own way, Pollok quickly put that right with a strong start shooting towards their 800 fans.Darren Christie forced McAdams into a smart low stop as they carried all the early threat with Ayr on the backfoot.The Championship leaders were struggling to find their rhythm and it took 21 minutes to register an effort on goal when Dempsey drew a good save from Jordan Longmuir.

Akinyemi then drew another good save from the keeper, who was becoming increasingly busy as Ayr pressed.But Pollok carried a big threat and had huge shouts for a penalty turned down when Don Robertson waved away appeals for a handball by Nick McAllister.Akinyemi then blasted over from point blank range but was flagged offside to spare his blushes as Ayr continued to be frustrated.But Ayr didn't have to wait long after the break to get their goal and it was Dempsey bursting forward from midfield again to apply a smart finish to a Jordan Houston cross.However, they couldn't kick on from there and the tie rather died a death