Ayr United keep title drive going

Jan 9 2009 by Mike Wilson

TOP gun Bryan Prunty ensured Ayr ended the year on a high with a priceless winner at Brechin.

Prunty’s strike after 60 minutes was no more than United deserved as they turned in a convincing display on the road.

David Gormley did the leading-up work and crossed into the centre where Prunty flicked the ball home from close range.

Brechin had the first chance at frost free Glebe Park but Darren Smith’s shot was well saved by Stephen Grindlay. But they suffered only four minutes later when David White broke his leg in a challenge with Ryan Stevenson.

Ayr took a firm grip and Martyn Campbell and Scott Walker both had efforts cleared off the line. Brechin hit back before the break and Grindlay did well to tip a Charlie King free-kick over the bar.

Prunty’s goal put Ayr in the driving seat and they almost added a second in the 72nd minute when a Scott Agnew cross came back off the bar.

Sub Alex Williams should have sealed it two minutes after replacing Prunty. He raced through with only Craig Nelson to beat but instead of slipping the ball past him chipped it well over.

Happy boss Brian Reid said: “I’m delighted with the win, especially as we also have a clean sheet into the bargain.

“We felt we had to get a result to send out a message to the other teams around us and we’ve done that.”

STAR MEN: ***Scott Walker; *Martyn Campbell; *Bryan Prunty.

BRECHIN - Nelson; Walker, Ward, White (Murie 8), Dyer, King (Byers 85), Janczyk, Nimmo (Diack 72), Smith, Twigg, Baird. Subs: Fusco, Scott; Booked: Janczyk.

AYR - Grindlay; Keenan, Walker, Campbell, Dempsie; Borris (Weaver 46), Aitken, Stevenson, Easton (Agnew 35); Prunty (Williams 74), Gormley. Unused subs: Henderson, Stewart; Booked: Keenan, Williams, Walker.

Ref: C. Allan; Crowd: 548.