Head man Willie Easton takes Ayr United top

Jan 21 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

WILLIE EASTON headed only his second goal in two years after being told: "You were due us one."

Easton's glancing blow from a Ryan McCann cross took Ayr top of the league after Livingston and Brechin both slipped up.

But Livvy’s win over East Fife on Tuesday meant it was only a temporary stay.

Man of the match Martyn Campbell joked: “Wee Stan is better with his head than his feet.

"We had a point to prove after losing 4-1 here the last time and to do it with another clean sheet is great.

"It's nice to see ourselves at the top and now we hope to kick on from here."

It was only Easton's second goal of the season but the difference couldn't have been more striking.

He revealed: "My last goal was a late consolation against Forfar. I don't score that many but that was a crucial one although we didn’t play well."

Boss Brian Reid admitted the win hadn't been pretty and had to be ground out in difficult conditions.

He said: "I told Willie beforehand that he was due a goal. It's not like him to score with his head – he must have had his eyes shut. We've a small squad so it's important that everyone chips in with goals and don’t leave it all to Mark Roberts."

Ayr were second best in a dreich first-half. Ex-United man Billy Gibson nodded against the post while David Crawford pulled off a superb point blank save to deny Andy Scott.

The best move of the first 45 came right on the interval when Easton slammed a drive just wide after great play by McCann and Andy Rodgers.

Ayr were much improved in the second-half and Rodgers went on a mazy solo run that was foiled at the death.

United struck the killer blow in 63 minutes when Easton nipped in between Scott and David McClune to nod home McCann's cross.

The unlikely hero was denied a second goal when his right foot strike flew straight into the arms of Stephen Robertson. Wasps boss Allan Maitland claimed: "We should never have lost. We had Ayr on the back foot and then lost a goal against the run of play.

"After that, Ayr controlled the game really well and could have added a second. In this league, the first goal is always going to be crucial."

STAR MEN: ***Martyn Campbell; **David Crawford; *Jonathan Tiffoney.

ALLOA - Robertson; McClune, Dunlop, Gibson, Walker, Hay, McGowan, McDonald, Prunty, Scott (Lister 67), Smith (Thomson 82). Unused subs: Brown, Philp, Ewings. Booked: Hay, Prunty, Thomson.

AYR - Crawford; Tiffoney, Malone, Campbell, Smith; McCann, Bannigan (Moffat 68), McLaughlin, Easton (Robertson 86); Rodgers, Roberts (McKay 78). Unused subs: Woodburn, McWilliams. Booked: Campbell, McCann.

Referee: Mat Northcroft; Crowd: 527.