We had to score first, says Ayr United’s Michael Moffat

Feb 18 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

MICHAEL MOFFAT reckons Ayr had to score first to dethrone the leaders and when they didn't the roof fell in.

The former Girvan striker was distraught as Livi scored three second-half goals without reply to blow United's proud home record.

Moffat claimed: "The first goal changes everything and then we were chasing it. In the end, it's a bit of a hiding but if we had scored first it would have been so different.

"Perhaps there was a hangover from the cup defeat by St Mirren because the boys were gutted we didn't get a replay.

"The gaffer warned that this was going to be a bigger game. I don't think we were tired - it was just an off day."

Ayr hadn't lost in nine home league games but that record was dumped without mercy by the clinical visitors."

Boss Brian Reid claimed: "We stood off, never dictated the tempo of play and didn't work hard enough. It's the poorest second-half I have seen for a long time especially into our favourite end.

"We need to pick ourselves up and show character. We made it easy for Livi and gave away cheap possession for all their goals.

"The squad is stretched and I could do with bringing in a couple of players. But there is not a great deal out there unless you have bundles of cash to throw about.

"However, there is still a long way to go in the league and lots of twists and turns to come."

Mark Roberts turned the ball across a gaping goal early on while Jonathan Tiffoney was booked for taking a dive in the box.

Kenny Deuchar hooked a shot off the bar before Roberts tried to be over elaborate when sent clear on Chris Smith's long pass and the chance was lost.

After the break, Moffat went down under a Craig Barr challenge but won no penalty and then had a shot saved under the bar.

It all turned sour in 61 minutes when Bobby Barr drilled home from six yards after Kyle Jacobs missed a cross.

The Lions left Ayr reeling 12 minutes later. Iain Russell nodded on a Keaghan Jacobs cross and Deuchar stooped to nod home from close range.

Skipper Liam Fox was on the park only nine minutes as a sub when he wrapped it up with a stunning volley from a Robbie Winters cross.

Boss Gary Bollan raved: "You won't see a better quality goal today from start to finish. It's been a good day but a tough game because in the first-half there wasn't anything in it."

STAR MEN: ***Scott McLaughlin; **Mark Roberts; *Michael Moffat.

Ayr - Crawford; Tiffoney (Easton 63), Smith, Lauchlan, Malone, McCann, Robertson, McLaughlin, Moffat, Roberts, Bannigan (Rodgers 63). Unused subs: McWilliams, Woodburn, Kelly.

Livingston: Bullock; C. Barr, Talbot, Hamill, D. Jacobs, Watson, Kyle Jacobs (Cowan 85), Keaghan Jacobs, Deuchar (Fox 75), Russell, B. Barr (Winters 82) Unused subs: McDowall, De Vita.

Referee - Iain Brines; Crowd - 1614.