A point is not enough says Ayr United skipper Austin McCann

Jan 4 2013 by Mike Wilson, Ayrshire Post

Austin McCann hailed the point which stopped the rot - but insisted it wasn’t enough.

The skipper played a starring role as Ayr shut out second top Alloa but blew chances to win.

McCann revealed the rocket the team copped for their Boxing Day bash at Albion Rovers had stung them into action.

He said: “We took stick, and quite rightly so, after that defeat.

“It was then all about standing up and being counted. With a bit of luck we could have got the victory we deserved.

“A point ends a run of four defeats, it’s a clean sheet and it’s better than it’s been.

“But we are Ayr United and we can’t just be happy with a draw at home.”

McCann joined the chorus of praise for Robbie Crawford which was led by boss Mark Roberts.

The gaffer claimed: “Robbie looked like a star. I’ve not seen anyone since Ryan Stevenson in the Ayr midfield take on three or four players.”

McCann agreed: “The wee man is different class and up there with one of the best I’ve seen coming through a club.

“Near the end, he had two players round about him. Next minute, he’s up and by three or four of them.

“I just stood there laughing. He’s a good lad with a great attitude and can have a right good future in the game.

“There’s no reason why he can’t go on to achieve the same as Stevo or maybe even better.

“He’s quiet but he takes in a lot of things from the manager and senior pros.”

Roberts enthused about a vastly improved performance which lacked only a cutting edge in front of goal.

He said: “It was great to see Darren McGill play his first real game at 17. Ryan McStay was the best player on the park by a mile and dominated the game.

“He actually won about nine tackles which is not like Ryan. If he adds that to his game, he’s better than most players in this division.

“We did a lot of talking after the Albion Rovers game and I definitely saw reaction.

“We had so many chances and near misses. I thought we were by far the better team.”

Roberts laughed off claims from Wasps boss Paul Hartley who claimed Ayr have a bigger budget.

He quipped: “We’ve got Somerset Boab selling CDs to raise cash. Alloa raked in six figures from playing Rangers in the cup.

“I think Paul has taken too much alcohol. There is no way we have a bigger budget than them.”

Ayr looked up for the fight from the start. Darren Brownlie had a header cleared off the line by James Marr while Kyle McAusland saw a back post effort well saved.

McGill was just too high with a shot while Crawford headed inches wide as the youngsters looked the part.

Ally Brown tipped over a Martin Grehan header at the start of the second-half as Alloa tried to get going.

But the lion’s share of the chances continued to fall to Ayr with David Winters failing to connect cleanly after being picked out by a sublime cross from Crawford.

Alloa could have stolen in at the death when Nicky Low cut in an angled a drive that flew inches past Brown’s left hand post.