Ayr United blown out by County

Sep 25 2009 by Mike Wilson

Ross County 2 Ayr United 1

BRIAN REID admitted high flying Ross County put the wind up Ayr by booking a gale force wind from the off.

The Highlanders cashed in with two goals in the first 15 minutes left to leave United staring an Everest but it was a different tale when Mark Roberts pulled one back early in the second-half.

Ayr then stormed forward in search of the equaliser but the league leaders held on.

Boss Reid said: “With a strong wind, it was one toss we were hoping to win and get the gale at our backs.

“I don’t think we played particularly badly but we defended poorly and sat too deep.

“I had a few words to say at half-time and the players responded. The second-half became a carbon copy of the first but we were doing all the attacking.

“We put 13 or 14 passes together before Mark Roberts scored after starting and finishing the move.

“County were hanging on at the end but we just needed a wee break in front of goal.

“At least we are creating chances but we need to start sticking them away and quickly if we are to move away from the foot of the table.

“But given the way we battered County in the second-half, I feel a bit hard done by.”

Ayr were stung in only 12 minutes when they failed to deal with a Paul Lawson corner and Richard Brittain netted with a stunning drive.

There was worse three minutes later when Steven Craig was played through by Iain Vigurs to sidefoot the ball past Craig Samson.

Ayr were at sea in a poor first-half and were mightly relieved to hear the whistle without shipping more goals.

United were a transformed team after the break and got reward in 53 minutes when Roberts finished off a superb passing movement to drill home his third goal of the season.

With Chris Aitken on for Billy Gibson, Ayr took the game to the hosts and came close on several occasions to forcing a draw.

Willie Easton had a shot palmed away and Bryan Prunty’s follow-up was blocked on the line.

Alistair Woodburn was denied by keeper Michael McGovern. County were living on their nerves and they had defender Alex Keddie to thank for a saving challenge on Ryan Stevenson on the six yard line.

With two minutes left, Keddie picked up a second yellow for dissent. From the disputed free-kick near the 18 yard line, Aitken swept the ball just wide of target.

Ayr also saw red in injury time with Neil McGowan walking for a second booking.

STAR MEN: ***Mark Roberts; **Chris Aitken; *Willie Easton.

ROSS COUNTY - McGovern; Miller, Morrison, Lawson, Keddie, Watt (Boyd 58), Gardyne (Scott 74), Craig, Di Gicamo (Wood 74), Brittain, Vigurs. Unused subs: Malin, Kettlewell. Booked: McGovern. Sent off: Keddie.

AYR - Samson; Connolly, James, Gibson (C. Aitken 58), McGowan; Woodburn (Borris 82), Keenan, Stevenson, Easton (Cawley 81); Prunty, Roberts. Unused subs: Grindlay, Gormley. Booked: Easton, Roberts. Sent off: McGowan.

Referee: C. Brown; Crowd: 1885.