Ayr United's stunning cup exploits continued as Pat McGinlay's late goal deservedly earnt the First Division side a replay with Dundee United in the semi-final of the Tennent's Scottish Cup.

Gordon Dalziel's men had already claimed the SPL scalps of Kilmarnock, Dunfermline and Hibernian and have a CIS Insurance Cup final clash with Rangers to look forward to.

But their stunning form against the top-flight clubs looked to be over when Craig Easton had restored United's advantage after Scott Crabbe had cancelled out David Winters' early opener.

But McGinlay popped up with 17 minutes remaining to give Ayr a second chance at Somerset Park a week on Wednesday.

United manager Alex Smith will be concerned if they defend like this and Derek Lilley's late dismissal for a reckless lunge on Paul Lovering added to his worries.

The home side seemed rattled by Ayr's reputation early on and on two occasions goalkeeper Paul Gallacher needed to make vital clearances after loose pass-backs from Jim Lauchlan.

But the home defence should have calmed down after taking the lead after just six minutes.

David Winters arrived late in the box to head Jamie McCunnie's cross into the corner, giving Craig Nelson no chance.

But that lead lasted just two minutes as the visitors made the most of some awful defending from United.

Former Dundee striker James Grady was given all the time in the world to pick out Crabbe in the box and he drilled a low left-foot shot past Gallacher from close range.

The visitors continued to look menacing on the break and it was easy to see why they had caused such a stir in the cups.

But Marvyn Wilson should have done better in the 18th minute after Lauchlan had headed Pat McGinlay's free-kick to the edge of the box, but the Ayr man fired over the bar.

Heavy snow brought a change in colour of the ball, but the departure of the orange ball coincided with the Tangerines' second goal of the afternoon in the 24th minute.

Winters' free-kick was knocked into the box by Steven Thompson and Easton reacted quickest to flick out his right boot to send the ball past Nelson and into the bottom corner.

Ayr tried to hit back quickly again, but Crabbe fired high over the bar after a neat turn in the box.

The striker again went close in the 32nd minute after being played through by Wilson, but his drilled effort was well saved by Gallacher low to his right.

Crabbe though should have brought the sides level again in the 38th minute after Robertson had knocked Wilson's ball across goal, but his control let him down and the chance went begging.

Grady also had a glorious chance moments later after McGinlay had crossed, but his shot was well saved by Gallacher again.

The United goalkeeper was frustrating the visitors and he again produced a good save to deny Crabbe's powerful right-foot effort in the 42nd minute.

Ayr looked the SPL side again after the break and they were almost level again just two minutes after the restart.

Former Hibernian star McGinlay flashed a left-foot volley from Paul Lovering's cross just past the post.

The United defence looked slightly more together after the break, but Gallacher was still the busier of the two keepers.

It appeared that the equaliser was just going to evade Ayr as Sheerin blazed a right-foot shot just over the bar after John Hughes' cross was headed into his path by Grady.

Ayr suffered a huge blow on the hour mark after Crabbe limped off to be replaced by Neil Scally and United started to cause problems themselves as the visitors committed more men forward.

A chance came Miller's way in the 62nd minute, but David Craig made a vital challenge to prevent him from hitting the target.

But Ayr were finally rewarded for their persistence when they snatched an equaliser with just 17 minutes remaining.

Sheerin swung an inviting cross into the box and McGinlay rose in the box to head into the corner past Gallacher.

United's problems increased with three minutes remaining when substitute Lilley was red-carded for an ugly lunge on Lovering.

The final whistle soon followed and now Ayr will be favourites to win a place in the last four of the competition - and rightly so.

Teams:

Dundee Utd: Gallacher, McCunnie, Griffin, Lauchlan, Fullarton (Lilley 72), Winters, Easton, Miller, Aljofree, McCracken, Thompson (Carson 86).

Subs Not Used: Jarvie, Paterson, Venetis.

Sent Off: Lilley (88).

Booked: Thompson, Griffin.

Goals: Winters 7, Easton 24.

Ayr: Nelson, Duffy, Hughes, Craig, Robertson, McGinlay, Wilson, Sheerin, Lovering, Crabbe (Scally 60), Grady.

Subs Not Used: Dodds, Annand, McEwan, Sharp.

Booked: Wilson.

Goals: Crabbe 8, McGinlay 74.

Att: 5,584

Ref: K Clark (Scotland).