Ladbrokes League One

FORFAR ATHLETIC 3

AYR UNITED 1

by Hugh Maxwell and Calum Campbell

LOYAL United fans made the long journey home less than delighted following the lacklustre second half performance which saw them humbled by relegation-threatened Forfar Athletic.

And their agony was compounded after defenders Ross McCrorie and Paddy Boyle had to be taken to hospital with head injuries following a collision.

A double from Andy Ryan and a one from Steven Craig earned the Angus side a vital three points with Ryan Stevenson netting Ayr's solitary counter. Manager Ian McCall was frustrated by the manner of this defeat and said “we were really poor and it’s hard to explain. Forfar deserved to win and it looked as if they wanted it more than us”. He also and described the second 45 minutes as “as poor a half of football as we’ve played all season”.

McCall was forced into changes before the off with Brian Gilmour and Peter Murphy on the injury list and Jamie Adams only fit enough for a place on the bench, so Andy Graham, Jordan Preston and Alan Forrest returned to the starting line-up. 

Ayr made a slow start to the game and found themselves behind after only three minutes.  Danny Denholm collected a pass from Andy Ryan down the left hand side and crossed in the box which was again met by Ryan who expertly controlled the ball and fired high into the net to give Greg Fleming no chance.

Ayr responded well to this setback and found themselves level 10 minutes later.  After some neat play on the right hand side, Ryan Stevenson passed the ball to Trouten who nutmegged Gareth Rodger and found Ryan Stevenson who finished well from a tight angle.

In 17 minutes Ayr were forced into two early changes when McCrorie and Paddy Boyle clashed heads while clearing a corner. Play was held up for several minutes with both players suffering bad cuts to their heads. Gerry McLauchlan and Mikey Donald replaced the unlucky duo.

Preston had his volley on the turn was well collected by Darren Hill three minutes later.

Forfar were handed a great chance in 23 minutes.  Gavin Swankie took a quick free-kick from 40 yards and chipped the ball into the box where it was met by Craig who volleyed over the bar from 12 yards.

Ayr created a good chance in 29 minutes.  Docherty spread the ball across to Devlin who slid in and he played it to Alan Trouten., whose shot was blocked centre half Gareth Rodger.  From the resultant corner Stevenson’s header was cleared off the line.

Steven Craig was again causing the Ayr defence problems as he brushed off Gerry McLauchlan on the edge of the box but his effort scraped just wide.

Forfar created the first chance of the second half in 49 minutes.  A free-kick from Gavin Swankie came into the box and it was met by Denholm however his header looped agonisingly wide. Two minutes later, Denholm had another chance, but this time his shot from inside the box was blocked by Devlin.  

Although Forfar were taking the upper hand, Alan Forrest almost gave Ayr the lead in 62 minutes.  Devlin drove the ball across the box from the right but Forrest's first time effort came back off the post. 

Forfar continued to come at United and in 70 minutes their efforts paid off.  Forfar's trialist collected the ball on the left and made his way into the box. He repeatedly twisted one way then the other but when his shot was blocked Andy Ryan reacted first and netted from close range. This was no less than the Loons deserved.

Forfar extended their lead five minutes later.  A long ball from Michael Kennedy caught out the Ayr defence and allowed Steven Craig to beat the offside trap and delicately loop the ball over Fleming into the net to give the hosts a comfortable lead. 

United never looked in contention in the latter stages of the game and the Honest Men looked resigned to their 10th league defeat of the season.  The result means Ayr are still in third place but now seven points behind Peterhead. 

Just when Ayr could do with a run of confidence-building performances on the road to the play-offs, injuries and suspensions mean they face selection troubles ahead of Stranraer's visit to Somerset Park on Saturday.

AYR UNITED: Fleming, Devlin, Boyle, Graham, Docherty, Stevenson, McCrorie, Moore, Trouten, Forrest, Preston, SubsL Wardrope, Adams, Hodge, McLauchlan, Donald, Crawford, Newman (GK).

STARMAN

Greg Fleming 3 pts

Ross Docherty 2pts

Jordan Preston 1pt.