FRESH AYR PAYS OFF

Aug 15 2007 Ayrshire Post

NEIL WATT rang the changes and watched new look Ayr ease into the second round of the Challenge Cup on Tuesday evening.

And despite missing their fourth penalty in a row, United came from behind to beat First Division Hamilton 2-1 at New Douglas Park.

Now the Somerset gaffer has the happy problem of who to leave out when league hostilities resume away to Brechin on Saturday.

Watt made eight switches from the team beaten 3-2 by Queen's Park with only Stephen Swift, Eddie Forrest and Ryan Stevenson keeping their starting berths as he kept his pledge to use his squad to the full.

However, youthful Accies, who also made several changes, took only 17 minutes to score when Barry John Corr flapped at a Tony Stevenson corner, allowing Stuart Taylor to volley home.

Ayr hit back with an Alex Williams header which was well saved before they were forced to alter their plans nine minutes before the interval, Gareth Wardlaw going off with a knee injury to be replaced by Michael Moore.

The sub was barely on when he won a penalty after being fouled by Brian Easton at the edge of the box. Moore took the spot-kick himself but just like Andy McLaren (twice) and Williams in pre-season games, his effort was well saved by the diving Bryn Halliwell.

Ayr then stung the hosts with a second-half double to seal their place in the second round draw.

And it was a milestone for Moore who scored his 100th competitive senior goal, firing home after a Williams cross from the right.

And the fightback was capped in 76 minutes when Stevenson cashed in on a mistake by dithering David Elebert and ran on before drawing Halliwell and shooting low into the bottom corner.

Accies, who had started the game brightly, were now chasing their tails. But they ran out of ideas as they tried to claw their way back and the Ayr defence, which was superbly marshalled by Chris Robertson, stood firm to claim a morale boosting win.

STAR MEN: ***Chris Robertson; **Ryan Stevenson; *Alex Williams.

HAMILTON - Halliwell; Evans, Gibson, Stevenson, Easton (Gilhaney 62), Wroe, Taylor (Elebert 55), McCarthy, Davison, Teggert (Wake 46), McLeod. Subs: Cerny, Crawford. Booked: Gilhaney.

AYR - Corr; Swift, Pettigrew, Forrest, Robertson, Stevenson; Vareille, Weaver (Lowing 89), Wardlaw (Moore 36), Williams, Dunn. Subs: Casey, Henderson, McGeown. Booked: Pettigrew.

Referee: Mike McCurry; Crown: 611.

lFANCY a flutter on Ayr to win the title? You can now get 14/1 with Skybet while they are 10/1 with Coral and 9/1 Ladbrokes.