Ayr United 1 - 2 St Mirren: Driving St Mirren fans to boos was smart move, says Danny Lennon

Published on Sunday 6 February 2011 15:44

Danny Lennon understood the frustration of St Mirren fans when they booed his decision to replace two-goal hero Craig Dargo in the closing stages of Saturday's Scottish Cup fifth-round win over Ayr United.

The former Kilmarnock striker opened the scoring in fine style in the seventh minute when he sent a low shot past United keeper David Crawford, before doubling the visitors' lead with a well-taken breakaway goal seconds before the interval. However, he missed a chance just after the break to secure a hat-trick and finish a tie which was then brought to life in the 57th minute, when Ayr skipper Mark Roberts scored a penalty.

As the Irn-Bru Second Division side took control of the game, the St Mirren manager brought midfielder Kenny McLean on for Dargo but it was a substitution that met with vociferous disapproval from the travelling support among the 5,997 crowd.

Lennon explained the decision was taken simply to make sure his side negotiated a difficult cup tie.

"I thought Dargo was terrific for us," the manager said. "He gave us his all but he has lacked games and he showed some fatigue.

"I totally understand the fans' reaction because he did look a threat at any given time but we also had to make sure that we protected what we had.

"That's the decisions you have got to make. I felt we were losing it in the central midfield area. I thought we steadied it."

United manager Brian Reid was pleased at the way his side reacted after going in at the break two goals down.

He said: "We set up a plan but a poor goal from our part gives them a boost. We then had a half-chance and they break up the park and score, which gives us a mountain to climb.

"But credit to the players, we told them we wanted to win the second half and on another day we might have got something from the game."