Ayr United's Shire shock

Aug 1 2008 by Mike Wilson

East Stirling 2 Ayr United 1

DISBELIEVING Ayr players sank to their knees when lowly Shire grabbed a shock equaliser four minutes from time.

And they were dead on their feet when the hosts fired a stunning winner not three minutes later.

The band of 500 Ayr fans who travelled full of hope and expectation couldn't believe what they were seeing. Make no mistake. This defeat will go into the record books as one of the worst in the club's history.

Ok, East Stirling's habitual Third Division whipping boys are on the up thanks to a new backer and the guile of experienced boss Jim McInally. But what a sorry day when a town the size of Ayr can't muster a team to beat them.

In truth, Ayr should have had this game done and dusted in the first half hour. But they didn't and their lethargic start to the second-half was punished in startling fashion.

Ayr should have been cruising when Alex Williams nodded them in front after 14 minutes when Bryan Prunty nodded on a cross from star man and skipper Chris Aitken. For a while, it looked as if the floodgates would open.

A great crossfield pass from Ryan Stevenson found Ryan Borris whose cross was headed over by Williams. Scott Walker had a low shot saved while Stevenson had a good effort held by former Ayr back-up keeper John Hillcoat.

Some super individual play by Prunty set up Borris for a clear look at goal. The former Raith man should have scored but the inspired Hillcoat saved well.

The first hint of trouble came two minutes after the break when Williams turned his ankle and was carted off to be replaced by Scott Agnew. With no other striker on the books, Stevenson was pushed forward.

Aitken tried to double the lead but after showing clever skills to set up the shot was denied by hero Hillcoat. Then Prunty brought down a Stevenson cross but hooked the ball just over.

Aitken kept trying to lead by example and a sweeping run forward ended with a dinked shot which the busy Hillcoat clutched under the bar.

But the chances refused to turn into goals and Ayr were stunned in 86 minutes when debutant Dean Richardson fired a 30 yard rocket over Stephen Grindlay's head and in off the bar with suggestions the keeper could have done better.

United fans prepared for extra-time in the baking heat but they were denied even that when Andy Rodgers turned past a couple of statues to crack home a superb low drive for the most unlikely of winners.

STAR MAN: Chris Aitken.

EAST STIRLING: Hillcoat; Ure, Richardson; Oates, Bolochezky, Nicholls; Dunn (Graham 65), Gibson (Donaldson 40), Cramb (McKenzie 65), Rodgers, Anderson. Unused subs: Kelly, Mitchell.

AYR: Grindlay; Dempsie, Walker, Campbell, Easton; Borris, Aitken, Keenan, Stevenson; Prunty, Williams (Agnew 50). Unused subs: McGowan, Weaver, Stewart.

Referee: Alan Muir. Crowd: 761.