AYR were truly blown away by the weather conditions and a clinical second-half performance by Peterhead at Balmoor Stadium, writes Lauren Johnstone and Calum Campbell.

With United’s 14-match unbeaten run seeming like a distant memory, manager Ian McCall was left to rue his side’s poor shooting and missed chances in the first half. However he refused to blame his players for the poor result instead commending those who are having to play though not being 100 per cent fit.

McCall was critical of the unforced errors though that led to all three goals. He said to his players: “This is a time for calm heads and not one to go ballistic,” and encouraged them to keep working hard and pick up points as they went through this crisis period.

Ross Docherty was absent from the squad due to an ankle injury but Jamie Adams, Nicky Devlin and Craig Moore all returned to the starting line-up for United.

Ayr started the brighter, creating a number of opportunities. Firstly Brian Gilmour looped the ball onto the head of Alan Trouten who had made an excellent run into the box but he could only head over.

Brian Gilmour then received the ball on the edge of the 18-yard box and flicked it inside to Moore. The on-loan striker looked well positioned to score, but Graeme Smith produced an excellent double save.

In 10 minutes Leighton McInosh found himself one-on-one with United keeper, Greg Fleming but the striker dragged his shot wide.

Ayr created the chance of the half 10 minutes later. Peter Murphy found Moore who slid the ball into the path of Trouten, whose shot was well saved by Smith.

Five minutes later a quickly-taken kick free-kick found Trouten in space but his shot was blocked by a last second despairing lunge from Jordan Brown. Alan Trouten then lifted the ball across the box and Moore attempted an overhead kick which sailed over the bar.

Ayr, with the wind at their backs, dominated but struggled to make the best of the advantage with shots from distance lacking accuracy – a weakness which would come back to haunt them in the second half.

Although pressed into their own half for much of the opening 45 minutes, the guile and instinctive partnership of home players McAllister and McIntosh still caused Ayr problems.

Twice the flight of the ball confused the usually solid United defence, allowing McAllister to find space and shoot. His first attempt in 26 minutes saw Fleming in the Ayr goal pull off a fine save.

The Blue Toon started the send half on the front foot. Inside two minutes Leighton McIntosh sent McAllister clear on the left but the striker’s effort was weak and Fleming saved easily.

The hosts took the lead in 62 minutes. Paddy Boyle’s clearance made little distance and was picked up by Dzierzawski who moved into space before lashing the ball past Greg Fleming from 25 yards.

Ayr substituted Moore and Preston with Forrest and Caldwell as they tried to get back into the game. Forrest was soon in action, receiving a through-ball from Trouten then darting towards the by-line. He then tried to beat Smith from a tight angle but the keeper saved well.

United then had a glorious opportunity to draw level. Adams knocked a Gilmour free kick into a dangerous area in the six-yard box but Ross Caldwell shot over the bar from close in.

Peterhead made Ayr pay 10 minutes from time when they doubled their lead. Peter Murphy was put under instant pressure then mugged by Ferry and Stevenson with Ferry instantly lifting the ball far up the field. The ball hit off the back of McAllister and Ayr’s central defensive partnership of Andy Graham and Gerry McLauchlan seemed odds on to clear but the usually assured McLauchlan slipped, allowing McAllister to regain the ball. McAllister casually slipped the ball into the centre and the onrushing and un-marked Sutherland who stroked the ball home.

The final nail in the coffin cane five minutes from time from the most bizarre of circumstances.

Trouten became entangled with Riley near the halfway line but the Peterhead substitute still managed to play the ball to McAllister who expertly steadied himself before perfectly flighting the ball into the top corner from 25 yards.

Although referee Alan Newlands had appeared to play on after the Trouten/Riley incident he inexplicably blew his whistle just before McAllister’s shot crossed a line and awarded the free- kick to the ‘Blue Toon’. The Peterhead players were rightfully bemused.

But Peterhead’s injustice was set right only seconds later.

From the resultant free-kick Jamie Stevenson floated a wonderful ball from left to right where Sutherland headed home from the tightest of angles.

AYR UNITED: Fleming; Devlin, Boyle, Murphy, McLauchlan, Graham, Gilmour, Adams, Preston, Trouten, Moore Subs: Newman (gk), Forrest, Muir, Crawford, Caldwell, McCracken, Donald.

Starman

Brian Gilmour 3

Jamie Adams 2

Andy Graham 1.