Three defeats in a row pile on the pressure of Ayr United

Apr 1 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

SLIDING Ayr United face an end of season sweat after slumping to their third defeat in a row on Tuesday evening.

Mark Roberts missed his first penalty of the season as Ayr crashed 3-2 away to East Fife, their second defeat to the Fifers in five weeks.

Now Saturday's re-match at Somerset Park takes on crucial importance as United try to guard a seven point lead over fifth.

Boss Brian Reid warned: “If the players think they can take their foot off the gas because they are already in the play-offs, that is a big worry but they are certainly not getting that from me.

“We need to get our act together and get back on track. Injuries and suspensions are plaguing us at the wrong time but I forewarned this would happen when we faced two games a week.”

With Eddie Malone completing a two game ban and Martyn Campbell out with a hamstring strain, Bobby Donnelly made his league debut and his first start since July.

Ryan McCann had to step back into central defence, a role he has played before, but a first time at Ayr.

Jim Lauchlan was ruled out after being up all night when his wife gave birth in the early hours of Tuesday.

Ayr trailed after only 15 minutes when former Hearts youngster Ryan Wallace, a two goal hero at Somerset in February, slammed the Methil men ahead after being put clean through.

United forced three corners in a four minute spell but fell further behind when Scott Durie curled home a left foot beauty.

Michael Moffat offered Ayr hope when he pulled one back from close range six minutes before the interval.

But a minute after the restart, the home side cranked up the heat when Bobby Linn grabbed their third.

Ayr tried to battle back and in 74 minutes they won a penalty. But the normally reliable Roberts, who was trying for a record 24th goal, saw his kick saved by Michael Brown.

Andy Rodgers went off with a groin injury two minutes later and now looks set to miss Saturday.

Moffat managed a consolation effort a minute from time for his fourth goal in five games.

Ayr are now nervously looking over their shoulders as Airdrie United and East Fife spy a chink of light. And with six of their last nine games away including trips to Livingston (twice), Brechin and Forfar, they still have much work to do.

The squad was further weakened on Monday when Paul Willis was recalled by Dunfermline.

STAR MEN: ***Michael Moffat; **Alan Martin; *Jonathan Tiffoney.

EAST FIFE - M. Brown; Durie, Park, Ovenstone, McGowan, Muir, Linn, Young, Hislop (Cargill 82), McCulloch, Wallace. Unused subs: Lyness, Smart, Fagan, R. Brown. Booked: Durie.

AYR - Martin; Tiffoney, McCann, Donnelly, Smith; Rodgers (Easton 76), Trouten, McLaughlin, Bannigan; Roberts, Moffat. Unused subs: Crawford, Woodburn, Robertson.

Referee - Charlie Richmond; Crowd 350.