The Somerset Park side are already in the final of the CIS Insurance League Cup where they will meet Rangers on 17 March at Hampden.

They will now play Celtic for a place in the Scottish Cup final on 23 March after beating SPL opposition for the third time this season.

They disposed of Dunfermline in an earlier round of the Scottish Cup and had to beat Hibs to earn the meeting with Rangers in the CIS Cup.

Manager Gordon Dalziel was fulsome in his praise of his players.

"To be in a final on the Sunday and a semi-final on the Saturday, what an achievement that is.

"It's very hard to take in for a small club like ourselves, but the players were immense.

"Sometimes they've been knocked during the league campaign, but they've answered that in the cups.

"We've beaten some good Premier League clubs and the players deserve a lot of praise."

Paul Sheerin scored Ayr's second goal and he was unable to contain his delight at the final whistle.

"It's tremendous. To got to Hampden twice in a week will be a great occasion for the club," he said.

"It'll be a not bad week with Rangers and Celtic. We've not been happy with our league form, but the cup's an added bonus for us."

Of his sweetly-struck goal, he said: "I was happy with it. I just tried to curl it round Danny Griffin who was in my way and I was just happy to see it go in the corner."