Alan Trouten double gives Ayr United win over Montrose

Nov 25 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

DEADLY Alan Trouten reckons he should be claiming a first ever hat-trick after firing Ayr into the Scottish Cup fourth round.

The unlikely hero bagged a double on Tuesday evening as Ayr beat Montrose 2-1 in a replay.

And that followed his penalty in a see-saw 2-2 draw at Somerset on Saturday.

Ironically, the 26-year-old hadn't scored since July. But he burst on to the scene at exactly the right time to book a trip to Livingston on January 7.

Trouten revealed: “I was trying to claim it as a hat-trick because I scored in the first game but the boys weren’t having it.

“I’ve never scored a hat-trick but I missed a good chance to do it. I haven’t managed a goal in the league this season but I’m hoping to put that right.”

Boss Brian Reid claimed: “We should have been 3-0 up comfortably at half-time and I had a wee go at the players. I thought it could be a case of ‘here we go again’ when we lost a goal from a soft free-kick.

“But we’re through to the next round and a difficult tie away to Livingston who haven’t lost at home for a year. But there’s always a first for everything.”

Reid plans to head to the English Championship as he scouts new players.

He revealed: “I will use my contacts down south but it will be younger players on loan deals. I am looking every day to boost the squad but it is proving difficult.”

Trouten struck at chilly Links Park in 28 minutes with a calmly taken finish after good play by Michael McGowan.

But only after Montrose had started brightly on the artificial surface and forced a couple of early saves from Kevin Cuthbert.

Trouten’s opener steadied Ayr and they stepped on the gas. McGowan was foiled by by a good save from Michael Andrews while Michael Moffat was only inches away from connecting with a Jonathan Tiffoney cross.

Eddie Malone also had a shot saved as Ayr looked to put the tie to bed.

The Third Division side kept them at bay until the 73rd minute when goal hungry Trouten lobbed Andrews.

Comeback specialists Montrose refused to lie down and battled to the death.

Ryan Connolly replaced McGowan but there was a scare in 81 minutes when Jamie Winter drilled a well struck free-kick into the bottom corner.

Gareth Wardlaw took the place of Mark Roberts but Montrose kept battling.

With a minute to go, John Smart fired just wide. But Ayr ran down the clock to seal their fourth away win on the trot.

MONTROSE: Andrews; McNally, Cameron, Smart, Crighton, Lunan (Dimiltha), Masson, Winter, Boyle (McGowan), Johnstone, Pierce (McPhee). Unused subs: Crawford, Wood.

AYR: Crawford; Tiffoney, Malone, J. Robertson, Smith, Geggan, Trouten, McKernon, Moffat, Roberts (Wardlaw), McGowan (Connolly). Unused subs: McWilliams, R. Robertson, Burke.

Referee: Matt Northcroft; Crowd: 575.

lAyr’s home game against Partick, which was due on Saturday, has been re-scheduled for Wednesday, November 30 (kick-off 7.45pm).

The original date is off because Partick play Culter in a Scottish Cup replay.

A young reserve team lost 5-0 to Cowdenbeath on Tuesday evening.

Former striker Tam McManus didn’t feature but is still training with the club. Ex-Hamilton defender David Elebert is now believed to be training at Rotherham.