Scott aims to hold on to Ayr United shirt

Dec 19 2008 by Mike Wilson

DELIGHTED Scott Agnew downed his old team with his first Ayr goal and then dreamed of holding on to the shirt.

Frustrated Agnew has kicked his heels on the sidelines as United’s hot start to the season has restricted him to only four starts. But just like Alex Williams, who came off the bench to bag a late double, he's being forced to play patience.

Agnew, 21, said: "My first goal for Ayr is something special and it will help my cause. It's been frustrating going from playing every week last season to not so much this year.

"However, there are so many good players in front of me that I know I need to be patient. The gaffer is fair and tells you that if you take your chance when it comes, you will keep getting it so hopefully I've done enough."

Agnew, in for the suspended Neil McGowan, curled home a 25 yarder in off the post after Ryan Stevenson crashed a 13th minute free-kick against the wall. But Ayr, who had gone close three times before then, failed to press home their advantage before the break.

The turning point came in 63 minutes when Scot Buist, who had earlier been booked, foolishly hauled down David Gormley for a second yellow and was sent packing.

Ayr threw on Williams, Paul Weaver and Chris Aitken for Gormley, Ryan Borris and Allan Dempsie and reaped immediate reward from the fresh legs. In 79 minutes, Weaver sent over a cross from the right and Williams rose at the back post to head home.

Deep in stoppage time, Williams rubbed more salt into the wounds when he fired home Ayr's third after Raymond Jellema had pushed out a shot from Bryan Prunty.

Happy boss Brian Reid savoured a fifth straight win. He said: "There was always the danger we would be rusty after not playing for three weeks and it showed in some of our play but they were three good goals. Aggie scored a great effort to give us a lift and wee Eck showed he's a real finisher. He was on the park for only 15 minutes and yet he scored twice."

Alloa boss Allan Maitland claimed: "Ayr started very well but after the goal we got a grip of the game. Even after the red card, we were creating chances but we must score when we are on top.

"Anyone picking up the paper will think it's an easy game for Ayr but it didn't seem like that to me. But in addition to effort and guile you have to make the right decisions at the right time. Our decision making was dreadful.”

STAR MEN: ***Dean Keenan; **Scott Agnew; *David Gormley.

AYR: Grindlay; Dempsie (Aitken 71), Walker, Campbell, Easton; Borris (Weaver 75), Stevenson, Keenan, Agnew; Prunty, Gormley (Williams 75). Unused subs: Stewart, Henderson. Booked: Easton, Walker

ALLOA: Jellema; McClune, Campbell, Buist, Forrest, Hill (Spence 80), Grant, B. Ferguson, Scott, Scullion (Stevenson 58), McAulay (A. Ferguson 68). Unused subs: White, Wilson. Sent off: Buist.

Referee: Euan Norris. Crowd: 1079.