Injury time killed me, says Ayr United boss Brian Reid

Apr 2 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

RUEFUL Brian Reid was left livid as another last gasp equaliser left Ayr shattered at the death.

Just like at Inverness and Airdrie, the Honest Men saw victory snatched from their grasp in the cruellest of fashions.

Reid quipped: "Injury time killed me will be written on my headstone. We could be six points better off - hopefully that won't come back to haunt us.

"We should have had the game out of sight but their keeper made some outstanding saves. We gave away a soft free-kick for the equaliser but should have defended the cross better. I'm bitterly disappointed – we had enough chances to be two or three up but we didn't take them."

Reid got embroiled in a bitter exchange of words with Raith boss John McGlynn at time-up but insisted there wasn't a problem.

However, he was still furious when he reached the dressing rooms and let his players known in no uncertain terms the depth of his displeasure.

Ayr got a dream start as they surged ahead in 14 minutes. Mark Roberts used all his experience to win a free-kick 25 yards out and Chris Mitchell curled the ball around the defensive wall as keeper David McGurn stood rooted to the spot.

McGurn was to redeem himself with a string of top saves that won him the man of the match award. But he was totally outfoxed by Mitchell's cunning.

The non stop energy of Steve Bowey and the powerful presence of Ryan McGowan gave Ayr a firm grip of midfield.

And in attack, Tam McManus and Roberts were a clever pairing that always looked likely to unlock the Rovers defence.

Raith's best spell came early in the second-half but Danny Lafferty cleared Iain Davidson's netbound effort off the line.

Andy Aitken, who had been immaculate in defence alongside Martyn Campbell, went off with a groin knock after 62 minutes, allowing Billy Gibson a return to action.

Only a superb triple save by the busy McGurn denied Ayr a killer second goal in 70 minutes. Bowey burst through and saw his shot superbly parried, Kenny Connolly failed from only yards and then Bowey's follow-up was saved. It was an incredible let-off which was to cost Ayr dearly.

Craig Samson had to make his first real save in 82 minutes when he emulated Gordon Banks to claw away a downward header from Gregory Tade.

Ayr then spurned another goalden chance when the tireless Ryan Borris raced along the byeline and picked out Junior Mendes who had replaced Roberts. But the sub's shot was blocked by McGurn.

Ayr only had to wind down the clock but a minute into over-time they were rudely undone. Allan Walker floated a free-kick into the box where Stephen Simmons rose to skim home a header.

Clearly, Ayr hadn't learned the lessons from their two preceding away days. The fans looked on in horror, the players were stunned while Reid looked like condemned man who had just been refused his last meal.

STAR MEN: ***Steve Bowey; **Martyn Campbell; *Ryan McGowan.

RAITH - McGurn; Gathuessi, Ellis, Murray, Hill, Davidson (Sloan 71), Walker, Simmons, Tade, Williamson (Amaya 58), Smith (Ferry 77). Unused subs: Armstrong, Amos; Booked: Gathuessi.

AYR - Samson; Mitchell, Aitken (Gibson 63), Campbell, Lafferty; K. Connolly, Bowey, McGowan, Borris; McManus, Roberts (Mendes 85). Unused subs: Woodburn, James, Grindlay. Booked: Gibson.

Referee:- Mat Northcroft; Crowd: 1872.