Motherwell boss Craig Brown hails Ayr United

Jul 16 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

CRAIG BROWN heaped praise on Ayr after Motherwell left it late to scrape their third pre-season win on the bounce.

And he admitted his SPL side got lucky to kill off rebuilding United with a goal two minutes from time.

Brown confessed: "Credit Ayr who played very well. We've now played three and won three, albeit we were a bit fortunate to win this one.

"I said to my players not to tackle too hard with an eye on our Europa League tie on Thursday but I was disappointed that we didn't pass it more."

Ayr boss Brian Reid took the chance to field two trialist full-backs and gave a second outing to Girvan striker Michael Moffat.

But it was new man Andy Rodgers, who only signed the day before, who stole the early show by firing Ayr ahead in 27 minutes.

The former East Stirling man made space at the edge of the box before turning and drilling home a low shot. Keeper Darren Randolph got a hand to the ball but could only help it into the bottom corner.

Ayr had started brightly with Dean Keenan breenging through the middle and setting up Alan Trouten. But the ex-Airdrie man was robbed when on the point of shooting.

'Well should have grabbed the lead after 20 minutes when John Sutton was sent clear by a through ball from Steven Hammill. But Martyn Campbell dashed back to put in a great saving tackle on the big Englishman.

The second-half became the new faces show as both teams took the opportunity to utilise their benches.

Kenny Connolly, who is trying to win a new deal after being freed, went close with a raking shot that flew just wide.

But it was 'Well who struck in 68 minutes. Bobby Donnelly brought down Keith Lasley at the edge of the box and Ross Forbes drove the free-kick in under the Ayr wall.

Motherwell now hunted the winner and Steven Saunders headed over while Sutton fired wildly over.

Youngsters Jonathan Tiffoney and Roddy Paterson added fresh legs but it was 'Well who turned the knife at the death.

Gary Smith flicked the ball on and sub Robert McHugh got in behind and rounded David Crawford to fire into the empty net.

AYR - Crawford; Trialist (Trialist 73), Trialist; Donnelly, Campbell (Robertson 60), McKeown (Woodburn 46); Trouten (K. Connolly 55), Keenan (Trialist 55), Trialist (Paterson 73), Rodgers (Roberts 60), Easton (Tiffoney 66).

MOTHERWELL - Randolph; Saunders (McHugh 80), Hammill (Page 46); Reynolds, Craigan, Lasley, Humphrey, Jennings (Hateley 53), Murphy (Swift 83), Forbes, Sutton.

Referee - Iain Brines; Crowd: 849.