Ayr United 3-0 Queen of the South

Published on Saturday 20 March 2010 20:11

Ayr United 3 McManus 24; McKay 79; Roberts 89 pen Queen of the South 0

AYR United's battle to move away from the dreaded play-off spot gained momentum when they eased past Queen of the South at Somerset Park.

Prior to this match Brian Reid's men had gone six games unbeaten, with their opponents Queen of the South the last side to beat them in mid-February.

Ayr took the lead with their first real attack of the match. A through-ball by Mark Roberts in the 24th minute was met by Tam McManus who cleverly flicked it over the onrushing David Hutton in the away goal and into the back of the net.

Roberts nearly got a goal himself five minutes later when his half-volleyed shot from a similar range was headed off the line by Marc McAusland.

Although the visitors had a couple of half-chances through Leon Knight, home keeper Craig Samson's only real cause for concern in the first half came from the flock of seagulls circling above his head.

The second half started much as the first began, with Ayr dominating. First, Danny Lafferty shot from outside the box which was well held by Hutton, and then Ryan McGowan's near-post header flew just over.

The Dumfries side brought on their former striker Sean O'Conner – appearing as a trialist – but Ayr were in full flight now.

A slice of luck was involved in the home side's second when in the 79th minute Danny McKay cracked a shot from 25 yards which deflected off McAusland's boot and looped over Hutton.

With the clock ticking down Hutton clattered McKay as he sprinted into the box. Gary Hilland pointed to the spot and Roberts converted.