Ayr United still need points to be sure of play-offs

Apr 22 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

AYR UNITED'S play-off fight isgoing to the wire as a tense three game shoot-out looms.

The second top Honest Men, who lost 3-2 to champions Livingston on Tuesday night, still need four points to be absolutely sure.

But if fifth placed Airdrie lose at home to Livi on Saturday, an Ayr draw at Dumbarton will be enough.

Boss Brian Reid vowed: “We can’t win the league so we want to finish second. We want to win every game to go into the play-offs with some momentum.

“I felt Livingston were there for the taking but after we had Stuart Bannigan sent off for two soft tackles, we shot ourselves in the foot by giving away bad goals.

“I’m glad the midweek games are now over because we’ve been playing every single week and that has taken its toll.”

United thought they were on course for their second point at Almondvale in four days when Mark Roberts scored his 26th goal of the season - and his 14th penalty.

But their night went horribly wrong when on loan teenager Bannigan was sent off for two yellows three minutes into the second-half.

Livi had taken the lead in 31 minutes when Craig Barr was left free to head home a Joe Hamill corner.

Ayr were level nine minutes later when Roberts fired his spot kick into the bottom right corner after Ryan McCann had been fouled as he burst into the box.

There was a blow two minutes before the break when Michael Moffat took a knock to his hamstring and was replaced by Andy Rodgers.

Bannigan's dismissal left Ayr facing an uphill fight but they held out until the 66th minute before being floored by a quick one-two.

David Sinclair fired the hosts ahead and then two minutes later Raffaele De Vita made it 3-1 after Ayr gave the ball away.

Ross Robertson and Willie Eastonreplaced Roberts and Scott McLaughlin with 16 minutes to go.

And 12 seconds into stoppage time, Robertson fired home a Rodgers free-kick for his second goal in Ayr colours.

Robertson was then denied a last gasp equaliser when his shot was turned round the post by Tony Bullock.

LIVINGSTON - Bullock, D. Jacobs, Talbot, Barr, Watson, Sinclair, Hamill, Fox, Kg Jacobs (McNulty 80), De Vita (Conway 80), Deuchar (Winters 65). Unused subs: McDowall, Ky Jacobs.

AYR - Martin; Tiffoney, Lauchlan, Malone, Smith; Trouten, McCann, McLaughlin (Easton 74), Bannigan; Moffat (Rodgers 43), Roberts (Robertson 74). Unused subs: Crawford, Crawford (gk); Booked: Bannigan; Sent off: Bannigan.

Referee - Anthony Law; Crowd - 904.