Ayr United stutter at Stirling

Jan 19 2009 By Michael Pringle

Stirling Albion 2 Ayr United 0

THE Ayr United bandwagon shuddered to a halt in Stirling on Saturday as a lack-lustre performance saw them go down 2-0 at Forthbank.

The first half was goalless with Stirling Albion having the best of the chances, Ayr struggled to get going.

The Honest Men started the second half much more brightly and Ryan Stevenson had a shot blocked on the line after Bryan Prunty had rounded the keeper. Prunty also had a penalty claim turned down when he seemed to be barged inside the area.

It was Stirling who were to break the deadlock after 55 minutes when Grehan sqeezed his shot under keeper Grindlay after a pass from John O'Neil. Last week's hero Alex Williams was sent along with new signing Kenny Connolly. Ayr's play improved with the change and Stevenson almost equalised with a thunderous 30 yard strike that looked destined for the top corner until Christie finger tipped it over the crossbar.

Binos captain Ross Forsyth got his marching orders when the ref brandished a straight red after a wild lunge on Chris Aitken with 17 minutes remaining but three minutes later Ryan McChord meandered through three Ayr players and scored from edge of the box.

There was no way back for Ayr as Stirling saw the match out. Clearly Ayr United will have to play a lot better when they travel to Rugby Park for Thursday's Scottish Cup match.

For Mike Wilson's full match report and a preview of the Scottish Cup replay and next Sunday's league match against Arbroath pick up a copy of this week's Ayrshire Post in the shops on Wednesday.