Ayr United’s Ryan McCann shoots down Alloa with timely strike

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

RYAN McCANN admitted his deadly strike came at exactly the right moment to knock the sting out of the Wasps.

But he knew hard labour Ayr got out of jail after patched-up Alloa, who had nine players out, came close to ending their horror run.

McCann struck in first-half stoppage time when he planted a sweet shot after Michael Moffat laid it on a plate.

McCann said: "It wasn't the best of games but now and again you are going to get that. Football can't always be pretty.

"I'm not a great finisher and should be in double figures this season."

McCann, who coaches kids in Glasgow with former Ayr player Andy McLaren, insists stepping down to part-time football is no chore.

He said: "The way football has panned out in this country means better players have had to go part-time. The likes of Scott McLaughlin is good enough to play in the SPL."

Relieved Brian Reid admitted it had been a below par performance but was just happy to get the win.

Reid said: "It wasn't a game for the football purist. We can play a lot better but it's three big points and that's the most important thing.

"I think the ball is now going to hospital to be patched up."

Alloa were so short that they drafted in Fraser Forrest and Roger Duffin from Bo'ness as trialists.

But that didn't stop them taking the game to Ayr. Michael McGowan hit the post while Darren Smith should have scored but was foiled by Alan Martin's legs. McCann struck with the last kick of the first-half to calm the nerves but a second goal wasn't forthcoming.

Martin rescued Ayr five minutes after the restart with a super point blank save from Mick Dunlop's fierce shot.

Furious Allan Maitland claimed Martyn Campbell fouled Jim Lister in the build-up and that Jim Lauchlan handled on the goal-line after the loose ball was headed back in.

The Recs gaffer sighed: "That was a big, big decision. I thought the referee was excellent but to be fair, he hasn't seen it.

"Their keeper made a magnificent save from Dunlop and big Jim punches the ball off the line. Not only is it a penalty but it's a sending-off.

"But even before that, they had a man who was wrapped around Lister so that should have been a penalty. Anyone here would feel we deserved something from the game."

STAR MEN: ***Martyn Campbell; **Michael Moffat; *Ryan McCann.

AYR - Martin; Lauchlan, Malone, Campbell, Smith; Willis (Bannigan 79), McCann, McLaughlin, Trouten (Tiffoney 71); Moffat, Roberts (Rodgers 79). Unused subs: Crawford, Easton.

ALLOA - Ewings, Philip, Dunlop, Trialist, Trialist, Scott (Hay 87), McGowan, Ferguson (McClune 66), Prunty (Noble 59, Lister, Smith. Subs: Robertson, McCaughie.

Referee - Crawford Allan; Crowd - 1049.