Ayr United 1 - 1 Queen's Park: Ayr assume pole position thanks to Borris equaliser

Published on Wednesday 4 March 2009 22:54

A HALF-TIME blast from manager Brian Reid and the kneecap of midfielder Ryan Borris helped a nervous Ayr come from behind to get the point they required to overtake Raith Rovers at the top of the Second Division.

The Honest Men, however may well feel this is a lost opportunity to lead the league by more than just goals scored.

Queen's Park, who had been beaten so comprehensively by Ayr on Saturday, almost shocked their hosts within the opening 90 seconds when Ryan Holms shot from 20 yards after the ball had been deflected into his path by referee Steven Finnie. Stephen Grindlay made a fine save to keep it out.

Ayr got into things in 19 minutes when visiting goalkeeper Zander Cowie got into all sorts of trouble with a pass back and conceded a corner. Martyn Campbell reached Chris Aitken's flag kick but he headed over.

Cowie redeemed himself in the 27th minute when he finger tipped a net-bound header from his own defender Jamie Brough onto the bar and over.

In 34 minutes Queen's Park stunned Somerset Park when Steven Odenewo, the Nigerian making his debut, reached a through ball before Grindlay, touching it away from the goalkeeper before shooting into an empty net from 18 yards out.

Odenewo went close with a glancing header in 49 minutes however Reid's side drew level two minutes later. Ryan Stevenson curled in a cross from the right that dropped at the far post where Borris forced the ball home with his knee.

The visitor's Brough was sent off midway through the second half for his second yellow card of the evening and despite incessant pressure, Ayr could not find a winner with Cowie's saves from Mark Roberts in the 80th minute and a Dean Keenan drive keeping the scores level.

Ayr United: Grindlay; Keenan, McGowan, Walker, Campbell, Stevenson, Borris, Aitken (Gormley 80), Prunty (Williams 69), Roberts, Connolly. Subs not used: Dempsie, Agnew, Mitchell.

Queen's Park: Cowie; Ure, Waters, Sinclair, Brough, Neil, Holms (Harkins 80), Cairney, Odenewo (Murray 82), Dunlop, Watt (Reilly 67). Subs not used: Nicholas, Crawford.

Referee: S Finnie.

Attendance: 1,363.