Ayr United 1-0 Falkirk: Geggan magnificent in Ayr

ANY lingering hopes Falkirk had of clinching the title were probably killed off by this defeat to a United side who gave their own survival hopes a timely boost.

The Bairns went into the match on an 11-game unbeaten run in the league but Andy Geggan’s sixth goal of the campaign was enough to give the Honest Men a victory they just about merited. It also ensured that Ayr continue to be a bogey side for the Bairns, having beaten them twice this season and drawn on another two occasions.

While disappointed with the outcome, Falkirk manager Steven Pressley was at pains to dismiss his side’s promotion aspirations. He said: “I have never talked about the title race and won’t talk about it now. Others have been talking like that but I have only talked about progress. My objective this season is to see these young players develop and, in these terms, it has been fantastic.”

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Of a slightly below par display by his youthful outfit, Pressley added: “The result is disappointing but I thought there was a lot of quality from us. At times we moved the ball really quickly which is what we always work towards.

“Maybe our final decision in the last third wasn’t good enough and that is what prevented us from scoring. Their goalkeeper also had a couple of good saves.

“I can’t complain about the effort or the performance – just the result.”

The decisive moment came in 74 minutes when a Michael McGowan corner was met by Geggan’s firm header at the far post, giving Michael McGovern little chance.

Only two minutes earlier at the other end Willie Gibson’s magnificent 30-yard shot had crashed back off the woodwork and, at that point, visiting supporters perhaps began to sense it was really not going to be Falkirk’s day.

United, who have spent most of the season in the division’s basement, had only one win to show from their previous 11 league outings though that did come just seven days earlier against Livingston. They might have gone ahead in the opening minute when Keigan Parker rounded McGovern only to be denied by Darren Dods’ goal-line clearance. Mark Roberts also went close with a header which went just wide as United shaded the first-half chances, although the Bairns did respond with a Farid El Alagui header which flew inches past the post.

It looked as if the game might remain goal-less especially when Gibson went unrewarded for that long-range effort. However, Geggan’s header gave United a precious win and a confidence-boost ahead of next week’s Scottish Cup visit from Hibernian. Not that manager Brian Reid is looking that far ahead.

With his side now four points ahead of bottom-of-the-table Queen of the South, Reid is now targeting Raith Rovers who are one point ahead having played a game more.

“The Hibs game is on the back-burner,” stressed Reid.

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“We first have league points to worry about when we go to Livingston on Tuesday.

“Today is a very pleasing result and three very important points. That’s two wins and two draws against Falkirk this season and they are a very good team which makes it all the more pleasing. But we will have to do it all again on Tuesday because every game in this division is tough.

“Whether you are playing a team at the top or a team at the bottom you always need total commitment.”

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