Ayr United aim for more big games

Jan 30 2009 by Mike Wilson

IT was like a throwback to the good old days,

A rip roaring Ayrshire derby, a bumper crowd, not to mention millions watching around the world on Sky TV.

So what if Killie gained their first meaningful derby win in 15 years – Ayr's run of four wins and a draw against them had to end sometime.

Football was the winner and the thirst to make the clash an annual fixture should now be intoxicating.

Beaten, but far from disgraced, weary Ayr retreated with their pride intact and their bank balance a lot healthier after two magnificent cashpot ties.

Rugby Park served up a pulsating encounter loaded with talking points. Ayr's 11th minute opener from Bryan Prunty was a hand of God goal while Killie boss Jim Jefferies revealed he pumped up his players by telling them to read the Ayrshire Post.

Glad you think we’re such a good read, Jeff!

Prunty had Ayr's near 4000 travelling army in dreamland when he bundled home a long through ball from Dean Keenan after keeper Alan Combe and defender Simon Ford collided. No one claimed a foul at the time but Sky cameras clearly showed Prunty had handled.

Prunty admitted later: "After seeing the repeat, it was a stonewall hand ball but sometimes they go for you and sometimes they don't. Fortunately, the linesman and ref were on the wrong side but I didn't aim to handle it. I tried to put my head on it but wasn't quite brave enough as the defender tried to get back as well. But I'll take it anyway."

Prunty lasted only until the 22nd minute before hirpling off with a groin strain to be replaced by Alex Williams.

Two magnificent goal line clearances from Neil McGowan kept Ayr's lead intact at the break but crucially they leaked the equaliser only four minutes into the second-half. The unmarked Ford powered in a header from a Willie Gibson free-kick which Stephen Grindlay stopped but couldn't prevent crossing the line.

Ayr should have grabbed a lift when David Fernandez was sent off in 68 minutes for lashing out at Martyn Campbell. But they wasted their best chance three minutes later when David Gormley seized on Frazer Wright's poor passback but shot tamely at Combe.

United were now out on their feet and Medhi Taouil fired the ten men ahead after Grindlay could only parry Craig Bryson's well struck shot. The tie was done and dusted five minutes later when Grindlay failed to gather a corner and Ford rose above McGowan to nod home.

STAR MEN: ***Neil McGowan; **Scott Walker; *Ryan Stevenson.

KILLIE - Combe; Fowler, Ford, Wright, Hay; Taouil (Skelton 83), Bryson (Flannigan 89), Pascali, Gibson; Russell (Invincible 86), Fernandez. Unused subs: Rascle, Simmons. Sent off: Fernandez.

AYR - Grindlay; Dempsie, Walker, Campbell, McGowan; Keenan, Aitken, Stevenson, Easton (Agnew 81); Prunty (Williams 22), Gormley (Borris 83). Booked: Keenan, Williams, Stevenson,Unused subs: Stewart, Henderson.

Referee - Steve Conroy; Crowd - 11,563.