Second division: Gormley pounces to give Ayr the initiative

Published on Sunday 15 March 2009 21:06

AYR United moved three points ahead at the top of the table after beating second-placed Raith Rovers 1-0 in Kirkcaldy on Saturday.

Substitute David Gormley scored with 12 minutes remaining when defender Craig Wilson failed to cut out a long ball and Gormley pounced to shoot past David McGurn.

"That was a big three points to collect," said Ayr manager Brian Reid. "We restricted Raith to very few chances and full marks to David Gormley for chasing what looked like a lost cause. We will not get carried away however, there is a lot of football to be played between now and the end of the season."

Home manager John McGlynn, who has seen his side displaced at the top of the table after a run of only one win in six games, was still upbeat, saying: "I thought we were the better team and played some good football in difficult conditions. The defence made one mistake all day and we were punished."

Third placed Peterhead boosted their play-off chances and dented visitors East Fife's hopes of catching them with a 2-0 win at windy Balmoor, where a fine first-half Graham Sharp goal was added to by a Callum MacDonald header in the second.

Blue Toon manager Neale Cooper said: "It was very windy but we adapted well. East Fife beat us the last time they were here but we put on a much better performance this time." Visiting manager Dave Baikie admitted: "This result is a setback for our play-off hopes."

The lead between Stirling Albion and Brechin City changed hands three times, with Jim Duffy's men eventually triumphing 3-2 at Forthbank. On-loan Hamilton striker Stephen Ettien shot Brechin ahead only for Sean Roycroft, with a header, and John O'Neil with a close range goal, replying for Stirling. The game turned again with a headed goal from Rory McAllister in first half injury time with Ettien capitalising on an error by the home side's goalkeeper, Scott Christie to fire home the winner midway through the second half.

Duffy said: "The equaliser right on half time was a key moment. It gave us a platform to build on." Stirling manager Allan Moore was deflated, saying: "I feel like I have been mugged. I do not know where the referee got the injury time from at the end of the first half."

Alloa moved further away from relegation with a 2-0 win over Arbroath thanks to a goal in each half from full backs Iain Campbell and David McClune. Allan Maitland's side are now seven points clear of the play-off trap door with the Recreation Park manager insisting: "That was probably our most vital win of the season."

Stranraer picked up their second point under Keith Knox when they drew 2-2 with Queen's Park at Stair Park. Danny Mitchell opened and closed the scoring with the visiting Paul Cairney, who later missed a penalty, and Barry Douglas, netting in-between.