Ayr United's Stevo smokes Arbroath

Apr 14 2009 By Michael Pringle

Ryan Stevenson

Arbroath 1 Ayr United 3

AYR United were forced to shuffle the pack to carve out another victory in the championship race.

Neil McGowan and Ryan Borris both missed out due to injury and Martyn Campbell limped off injured early in the game leaving Ayr with only one recognised centre back. Dean Keenan was drafted in to partner Scott Walker with Ally Woodburn coming on.

Arbroath were the first to pose any real goal threat with both Sellars and Scott both forcing saves from Stephen Grindlay. The closest Ayr came at this stage was when Willie Easton's corner kick almost went straight in.

Arbroath came even closer when Barry Sellars hit the post and Bryan Scott fired a shot wide. The scoresheet remained blank as the half time whistle blew.

Within six minutes of the restart the Honest Men were in front from the penalty spot. Rennie conceded the kick after needlessly pulling the shirt of Kenny Connolly. Chris Aitken made no mistake from the 12-yard mark.

Ayr were struck with another injury as David Gormley was forced to retire from the match prematurely. Within a couple of minutes Arbroath were level, Bishop bulleted home a header from a Sellars corner kick and Ayr's lead at the top of the table was in question. 

Step forward Ryan Stevenson with two magnificent goals. First he finished off a great move by dragging the ball back and firing home from eight yards after 72 minutes and three minutes later he doubled Ayr's lead when he thundered home a Chris Aitken cross at the back post.

Bryan Prunty made a return to the team when he replaced Alex Williams with seven minutes of regulation time left on the clock.

Ayr will travel to Brechin this Saturday with the team knowing that four more victories will clinch the title regardless of what happens elsewhere.