Ayr United 0 - 0 Partick Thistle: Challenging conditions nullify goal threat

DESPITE the harsh wind and rain that swirled around Somerset Park all night making it difficult for any constructive football to be played, Ayr and Partick Thistle did their best to entertain the 1,122 hardy souls that turned up to watch their goalless encounter.

The home side’s defence looked unsteady early on as Eddie Malone was robbed by Christie Elliot and goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert struggled to hold Aaron Sinclair’s driven effort from the winger’s cross.

Thistle’s Chris Erskine looked all set to open the scoring on seven minutes only for his darting run to be ended by a trip 19 yards out from Alan Trouten.

The Ayr man was fortunate to escape a booking, and to add to Thistle’s frustration Paul Cairney’s weak effort hit the defensive wall.

Ayr could have scored with their first effort on target on the half-hour mark when Chris Smith headed a Michael McGowan corner goalward and Michael Moffat applied a neat flick; however, a combination of goalkeeper Scott Fox and the bar kept the ball out.

There was controversy in 36 minutes when referee Colvin ignored an apparent head-knock to Malone and that allowed Elliot to send over a low cross that was slid wide by Erskine with home manager Brian Reid receiving a lecture for his troubles before the game resumed.

Partick carved out the first chance of the second half when Kyle Hutton released Tommy Stewart with a fine through ball and the striker got his shot on target, however Cuthbert beat his effort away.

Former Jag Mark Roberts looked to grab the opener on 61 minutes with a trademark turn and shot only for his effort to deflect off Alan Archibald and loop over the bar, and just three minutes later McGowan went close with a drive that Fox managed to push away.

The Honest Men gave a debut to the well-travelled Tam McManus with 18 minutes left and he looked set to grab a goal when Aaron Sinclair was short with a pass-back, but Archibald came in with a perfect sliding tackle to clear the danger.

Neither side settled for a point and the Glasgow outfit thought they had stolen a late win when Erskine chipped home only for an offside flag to cut short their celebrations.

Ayr United: Cuthbert, Tiffoney, Malone, Robertson, Smith, Geggan, Trouten, McKernon, Moffat (McManus 75), Roberts (Wardlaw 69), McGowan. Subs not used: Robertson, Connelly, McWilliams.

Partick Thistle: Fox, Paton, Sinclair, Hutton, Balatoni, Archibald, Cairney (Doolan 70), O’Donnell, Stewart (Dargo70), Elliot, Erskine. Subs not used: Lindsay, Bannigan, Scully.

Referee: B Colvin. Att: 1,122