Ayr United keep the dream alive

May 1 2009 by Mike Wilson

Ayr United 2 East Fife 0

BRAVE Ryan Stevenson played through the pain barrier to inspire Ayr to the win that keeps the title heat on Raith.

Boss Brian Reid revealed how Stevo insisted on playing his part despite a troublesome abscess in his groin.

After goals from Mark Roberts and Kenny Connolly gave Ayr their ninth win from 12 starts, Reid said: "Fair play to Ryan. He played on with a sore one although he came off right at the end.

"At one stage, I didn't think we would finish with 11 on the park. Neil McGowan twisted his back which went into a spasm while Scott Walker had to come off for treatment for a cut chin.

"Fair play to the players who all dug in and did their job. We had a makeshift look to the defence with Dean Keenan at centre half but they all stood up well.

“As a former defender myself, I'm delighted at another clean sheet and now want to continue that against Alloa and keep our unbeaten home record intact."

For the first time this season, Ayr bravely went with a three man strike force of Roberts, David Gormley and Bryan Prunty as they knew nothing less than three points would keep their flag bid alive.

But their plans were upset after only eight minutes when McGowan landed awkwardly and twisted his back. As he was led off in agony, Connolly took his place.

But the former Motherwell kid was to play a key role, scoring one and laying on another. Alongside him, skipper Chris Aitken had one of his best games in an Ayr shirt while tenacious Willie Easton continues to look one of the most improved players of the season. Gormley had a shot touched into the sidenet after only two minutes as Ayr chased a hot start. Then the ex-Glenafton man shot into keeper Michael Brown's arms after Prunty's effort had been blocked.

Stevenson had a drive parried while Prunty went close from a Roberts cross. But Ayr were reminded they were in a game when Paul McManus just failed to connect with a Bobby Linn cross two minutes before the break.

However, two goals in two minutes at the start of the second-half had United walking on Ayr. In 52 minutes, Connolly knocked the ball back to Roberts who turned and hooked a shot into the top corner.

The visitors were still reeling when Connolly went from provider to scorer, pouncing on a Walker header to hit the target with a spectacular overhead kick.

Gormley raked a shot across the face of goal as Ayr chased a third, knowing that goal difference could prove crucial if Raith slip.

There was controversy in 66 minutes when Bobby Linn, who had been booked earlier, went down under an Allan Dempsie challenge inside the box. But as some feared a penalty, ref Craig Charleston reached for a second yellow and sent off the striker for diving.

Ayr tried to press home their extra man advantage but the backs to the wall Fifers were leaking no more.

STAR MEN: ***Ryan Stevenson; **Chris Aitken; *Willie Easton.

AYR - Grindlay; Dempsie, Keenan, Walker, McGowan (Connolly 8); Stevenson (Woodburn 90), Aitken, Easton; Gormley, Prunty (Williams 83), Roberts. Unused subs: Mitchell, Agnew.

EAST FIFE - Brown; Nugent, Cameron, Muir, Smart, Fotheringham, Templeman (Sheerin 70), Fagan (Stewart 60), McManus (Cargill 83), Makel, Linn. Unused subs: McCulloch, Stanic. Booked: Linn, Fagan; Sent off: Linn.

Referee - Craig Charleston; Crowd 1849.