Mark Roberts takes rap after hitting glory winner for Ayr United

Sep 30 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

MARK ROBERTS says jumping into the fans to celebrate his winner was well worth the inevitable booking.

And he insisted it made up for the red faced moment when he jarred his knee after kicking the turf.

Golden oldie Roberts conjured up a sublime piece of skill to settle a dour game which seemed destined for stalemate.

He brought down Jamie McKernon's perfectly weighted pass seven minutes from time, stepped inside his man and squeezed a shot between keeper Lee Robinson and the post.

Roberts admitted: "Usually these type of passes skid out but this one actually died because it was played with spin. It was a great pass from Jambo who has done well.

"It's a massive result because if we hadn't won we could have become detached. We weren’t panicking and knew the previous two league defeats had been blips."

Roberts laughed at his mad moment when he almost crocked himself after kicking the ground.

He said: "I didn't want to lie down because if you do that you draw attention to yourself. But I had the last laugh in the end."

Boss Brian Reid reckoned Roberts was the one player on the park capable of such an audacious piece of skill.

He said: "We were desperate for a goal to give us a lift and it was the old head who did it. We were missing three big players in Martyn Campbell, John Robertson and Gareth Wardlaw. We had six players aged 19 and under.

"Big Ross Robertson was superb at centre-half yet he fancies himself as a striker or midfielder.

"It was a great effort after Wednesday night. At home we are capable of beating anyone but away we have got to improve."

Ayr were almost gifted the lead in 10 minutes when Robinson made a hash of trying to clear a back pass from Alan Reid and succeeded only in teeing up Michael Moffat.

But the Moff hit his first attempt against Robinson's legs and saw his second effort smothered by the relieved keeper.

United turned up the heat as the interval approached and created a series of good chances but without making the breakthrough.

Roberts twice forced Robinson into action in a hectic 60 seconds. His first effort was clawed away for a corner while his second, a shot on the turn, was tipped aside.

Then Alan Trouten forced his way into the box but shot just wide. Queens were relieved to hear the half-time whistle but not before Trouten squeezed in another shot which Robinson dealt with competently.

Moffat should have put Ayr ahead in 61 minutes. He cleverly made himself space in the box but hit his shot too close to Robinson who tipped it over.

It just wasn't Moffat's day and he ended a good run with a weak effort that went harmlessly over without troubling Robinson.

Roddy Paterson and Ryan Connolly came off the bench but the game seemed to be petering out until in stepped Roberts with his trademark finish.

And there was almost a second goal when McKernon sent a rocket effort flying past.

Queens boss Gus MacPherson sighed: "Yet again a late goal has cost us dearly."

Ayr: Cuthbert, Tiffoney, Malone, Smith, R. Robertson, Geggan, McGowan (Paterson 76), McKernon, Moffat (Connolly 79), Roberts, Trouten. Subs: McWilliams, Burke, Armstrong. Booked: Roberts.

Queen of the South: Robinson, A. Reid, Higgins, Simmons, Campbell, McGuffie, Johnston (Clark 62), McKenna, Brighton (Holt 71), Carmichael (Smillie 76), McLaughlin. Subs: McKenzie, Black.

Referee: Callum Murray. Crowd: 1582.