Ayr United skipper Mark Roberts tops the goal charts

Oct 8 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

SCORING skipper Mark Roberts insists there's life in the old dog yet after soaring to the top of the goal charts.

Roberts leads the way with nine after his late double powered Ayr to a come from behind 3-1 win over Livingston.

That knocked Livvy off top spot and leaves United only one point off the Second Division summit.

Roberts joked: "It doesn't say much for all the young kids in the league if a 34-year-old guy is beating them.

"I still feel I could do a job at a higher level than this but I've just got to accept it.”

Boss Brian Reid believes his captain is leading by example as Ayr head into the international break on a high with three wins on the trot.

He said: “Mark had to drop deeper at the start because of injuries. Similarly, Jonathon Tiffoney had to switch to the left where he played a lot of his time in the youths.

“I feel the team now has a much better shape and although we are going well there is a long way to go.

“Bringing in a couple of new players has helped and I want to thank the Panda Pals initiative which has allowed us to strengthen the squad.”

Meanwhile, Roberts hailed teenage strike partner Danny McKay for putting him on the goal trail.

He said: "Danny did a great job for my first goal. I was screaming at him constantly to square it and then he played a horrible slow ball to me but luckily I just put it away."

Roberts was denied his second successive hat-trick by a great save from keeper Tony Bullock. When the ball spun up into the air, Eddie Malone dived to head the equaliser.

Roberts wrapped it up when he rose to powerfully head home a Scott McLaughlin corner with seven minutes to go.

The captain added: "A lot of things were said four weeks ago that we could be fighting relegation but we always knew we had the ability so fair play to us."

Reid hopes this weekend’s enforced break will work to his team’s advantage and allow his casualty ward to clear.

He revealed: “I’m hoping Willie Easton will be available for the next game at Forfar a week on Saturday.

“Bobby Donnelly is doing some work on the exercise bike and will do some running later in the week.

“Forfar will be too soon for him as he has a lot of fitness work to catch up on.”

Reid is considering giving his players the weekend off to recharge their batteries after working them hard in training.