Ayr United’s hero keeper Alan Martin plays through pain barrier

Mar 11 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

HERO keeper Alan Martin will play with a patched-up hand to boost Ayr United’s promotion cause.

Despite breaking a finger and dislocating another, the new signing refused to come off during Saturday’s 5-0 rout of Airdrie.

And he had to wait until after the game to get three stitches in his ring finger because there wasn’t a doctor on hand at the Excelsior Stadium.

Martin, 22, saw physios at Murray Park on Monday and is waiting on a specially made glove to give more protection.

That might not arrive until next week but he’s still desperate to play through the pain barrier at home to Alloa on Saturday.

Martin, who has 12 Scotland under 21 caps, was released by Leeds United in January after spells on loan at Barrow and Accrington.

And he immediately won the hearts of Ayr fans with an assured display in United’s biggest league win of the season.

Boss Brian Reid said: “Alan showed amazing bravery after he got injured making a great save. The physio signalled he was to come off but the boy was determined to stay.

“Lesser players would have been coming off the park so he deserves great credit for staying on. What a game he had - and with one hand.”

Reid insists he still hasn’t given up hope of catching runaway leaders Livingston who went 19 points clear on Tuesday evening. However, Ayr have four games in hand and have still to play them twice.

Reid said: “Playing catch-up is not ideal so it will be important to keep everyone fit.

“Saturday was the first time we had a couple of players left out but Mark Roberts, Jonathan Tiffoney and Martyn Campbell are only one game from bans.

“Willie Easton was free from a two game ban but he hadn’t trained because of a heavy cold.

“We had missed Ryan McCann but his return gave us steadiness even although he wasn’t 100 per cent with a back problem.”

Axed David Crawford has been told to get his head down and work hard in training now that Martin has the gloves.

Ayr’s only other keeper Ryan McWilliams is sidelined with a broken bone in his hand.

United must beat slipping Alloa and then win at Livingston on Tuesday, to retain any hope of reaching pole spot.

River Cottage fans are running a bus to Livingston, leaving at 5.45pm. Seats from 287923.