Ayr United striker Mark Roberts fires warning to Hibs

Jan 7 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

MARK ROBERTS killed Dumbarton with a dodgy penalty and then warned Hibs: "You're on a hiding to nothing."

The skipper came out of cold storage to fire Ayr to within two points of leaders Livingston with his 15th goal of the season. But he reckons watching Hibees boss Colin Calderwood won't be shaking in his shoes.

Danny McKay stepped off the bench to grab a late second but this was unconvincing United who laboured to see off the league's bottom team.

Roberts admitted: "Let's not be kidded - if Hibs play as well as they can they will beat us. If anyone thinks otherwise, they are daft.

"However, we're not going there for a 0-0 draw to try and bring them back here. We've not got the players for that.

"We'll go there to try and keep Hibs quiet for as long as possible and see what happens.

"We have a wee bit of confidence and have nothing to lose whereas Hibs are not playing well at the moment. So we're going there to try and win.

"There is no pressure on us because if we are beaten then everyone expects it. But no way are any of the boys thinking we'll lose 5-0 or 6-0 - we're going there to put on a show."

Sunday's match was Ayr's first action for 43 days and not surprisingly they looked ring rusty on a firm but flat pitch.

The match only beat the weather thanks to a superb effort from volunteers who helped to lay and lift pitch covers.

Roberts admitted: "The pitch was hard and you couldn't change direction quick enough. It wasn't great but we just wanted the game on and get the win.

"When the games come thick and fast we hope to kick on, gain confidence and go on to win the league."

Ayr were gifted the opener in 11 minutes when ref Craig Charleston ruled that Alan Cook tumbled Ryan McCann as he hared into the box.

But Roberts, who slammed home the spot-kick, confessed: "It wasn't a penalty. I think Ryan fell over his own feet and the boy didn't touch him.

"It was a wee bit of luck because at their patch the last time they got a penalty outside the box and Jonathan Tiffoney was sent off.

"Things evened themselves out today so I don't think Dumbarton can complain too much. They got a lucky break the last time so I don't feel sorry for them in the slightest."

For long spells after the goal, Dumbarton looked the likelier as Ayr struggled to string passes together. It took United until the 41st minute to get a second effort on target but Martyn Campbell's header from Willie Easton's cross didn't trouble former Somerset keeper Stephen Grindlay.

It took a great save from David Crawford to deny trialist Pat Walker soon after the restart after Craig McLeish released him with a superb through ball.

Easton raked a shot wide from an Alan Trouten cross before Jonathon Lindsay failed from point blank range for the visitors.

Ayr were living dangerously on their slender lead until McKay entered the fray for Roberts and made an instant impression.

Within a minute of coming on, he raced clear and held off a tired challenge before striking the clincher past Grindlay.

Fellow sub Ally Woodburn should have made it three but fired tamely wide from good position after Andy Rodgers set him up.

As Ayr finished on a high, McCann burst into the box and cut the ball back to McKay whose shot was blocked.

Relieved boss Brian Reid admitted: "I said beforehand to my assistant Scott MacKenzie that I would take any kind of win today even if it was off someone's backside in the last minute.

"After being idle for so long you could see we were a bit off the pace. I'm just glad to get a game on grass before the trip to Easter Road.

"It has been a good day. We have closed the gap at the top, kept a clean sheet and picked up no injuries.

"The pitch was firmer than normal but the ref made the right decision because it certainly wasn't dangerous or unplayable.

"It was a wee bit crispy but we were delighted to get the game on after not playing for so long."

Sons boss Alan Adamson claimed: "If we keep playing attacking football like that we will climb the league. We didn't come here to defend and a draw might have been fairer."

STAR MEN: ***David Crawford; **Martyn Campbell; *Stuart Bannigan.

AYR - Crawford; McCann, Smith, Malone, Campbell, Bannigan (Robertson 80), Trouten (Woodburn 77), McLaughlin, Rodgers, Roberts (McKay 77), Easton. Subs: McWilliams, Taggart. Booked: McCann, Malone.

DUMBARTON - Grindlay; Devlin, Lindsay, Nugent, McNiff, Cook, Brannan (Campbell 65), Geggan, McShane (Carcary 51), McLeish, (McStay 84), Trialist. Subs: White, Wallace. Booked: Cook, Lindsay.

Referee - Craig Charleston; Crowd - 1224.