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Neil McCann praised the resilience of his Kilmarnock side after they came back to defeat local rivals Ayr United 3-2 in an entertaining Premier Sports Cup derby at a raucous Rugby Park. Killie had shipped nine goals in their last two matches and found themselves 2-1 down with 15 minutes remaining, as Ayr’s Owen Stirton volleyed home and Ross Taylor scored with a sublime strike, either side of a composed Joe Hugill effort for the hosts. But Michael Schjonning-Larsen fired in from the edge of the box following a mazy run to level and, as the game appeared to be heading for extra-time, substitute Nicky Clescenco dinked home the winner after Ayr goalkeeper Harry Stone spilled a deep cross. McCann was also pleased with the amount of chances his side created as they rose to the occasion in front of a near sell-out crowd. He said: “I have to compliment the boys to have the guts and determination twice to come back and then keep pushing for the winner. We weren’t settled on extra time. “I’ve been in a fortunate position where I’ve been on the winning side when we’ve gone to cup finals and nobody really cares how you get there. “It’s about just progressing in cups all the time. “We can play better but I don’t think anybody can say that we didn’t deserve to win tonight. “We’re pushing the game forward and we’re controlling the game. “When you’re open and you’re pushing to try and get your dominance across by scoring, you’re always going to be liable to a counter-attack. “I think if you’d have asked the Kilmarnock fans, they might have wanted a big win. “But to win it in that way, there’s just something nice about it for a supporter, I can imagine. “It’s certainly nice for my dressing room. I’m so happy for the players and I’m so happy for everybody connected with Kilmarnock.” Ayr boss Gary Naysmith admitted the agonising late defeat was one of the worst feelings he has experienced as a manager. The Honest Men had been unbeaten this season and more than held their own against their top-flight opponents, before tiring towards the end. “I’m really gutted,” he said. “I couldn’t have asked for anything better. “In terms of their efforts, sticking to the game plan, I couldn’t have asked for any more. “Obviously, we’re a wee bit disappointed with the last 10 minutes. “I think we can make a challenge before Schjonning-Larsen runs 50 or 60 yards for the second, and Harry Stone’s just made a mistake for the third. “He’s been absolutely outstanding for us since he’s come in. “I think you can say it too easily, but this is definitely one of the lowest I’ve felt, definitely as a manager, but maybe in my actual whole career. “I’m pleased with everyone. It’s hard to actually single them out, but I thought they were terrific. “We wanted to try and force the ball into midfield, try and nick the ball and get them on the counter-attack, and I think that’s where most of our attacks came from, so the players stuck to the game plan brilliantly. “In the end, it just wasn’t enough.”