Ladbrokes League One

AYR UNITED 2

AIRDRIE 2

By Stewart McConnell

CHARITABLE Ayr must find a killer instinct to stand a genuine chance of title glory after being held at home by AIRDRIE.

After a barrage of pressure they fell behind but secured the lead and then lost another goal.

They are five points behind leaders Raith Rovers at the end of the first quarter of the campaign but that's still in touching distance.

The hosts played well but must make Somerset Park a fortress again after winning just one of their last four league games there.

Home goalie Jordan Hart came out to save at the feet of Willis Furtado in five minutes following a lively opening to the match. Then at the other end a close range effort from Craig McGuffie was deflected wide by the visiting defence.

Michael Moffat sent a cross into the box in 16 minutes but found no takers. Seconds later he teed up Lawrence Shankland but visiting goalie Ronan Ferguson blocked the ball with his legs.Moffat was hauled down inside the box in 19 minutes by Ferguson, who was booked and referee Steven Reid pointed to the penalty spot. However Shankland's effort was well saved by Ferguson.

A good tackle just outside the box in 23 minutes saw Andy Geggan foil Furtado.

Airdrie took the lead totally against the run of play in 29 minutes, when Jordan McGregor powerfully headed home a Tom Fry corner-kick.

As the visitors kept pressing a Jake Hastie effort from the edge of the box was well saved by Hart in 38 minutes.

A David Ferguson effort from 45 yards hit the top of the net two minutes later. A header from eight yards by Shankland glanced narrowly over the bar in 43 minutes.

Airdrie claimed for a penalty in 44 minutes when Luke Watt went down inside the box but Reid waved play on. Seconds later Moffat shot inches wide from 18 yards. Shankland saw his close range shot blocked in 48 minutes and a minute later Robbie Crawford's 25-yard effort crashed off the crossbar.

McGuffie shot just over the bar from 20 yards in 50 minutes as the home side kept up the pressure United deservedly levelled with a great goal in 55 minutes as Andy Geggan swept the ball home from eight yards following a superb David Ferguson cross. Then two minutes later Moffat sent a superb through ball to Geggan who slammed the ball home from 12 yards.

A Furtado long range effort from 25 yards went wildly over the bar in 61 minutes.

However the Diamonds levelled in 65 minutes when a thunderous 25-yard effort from substitute Jordan Allan smacked off the post but Furtado pounced to knock home the rebound from six yards.

Hart brilliantly fingertipped a 25-yard Tom McDaid over the bar in 72 minutes. A minute later at the other end Declan McDaid shot wide from the edge of the box. Craig Moore returned from injury in 77 minutes, replacing Shankland.

A shot from outside the box by Geggan was saved by Ferguson in 85 minutes and McDaid sent a 20-yard effort well wide two minutes later.

Moffat went on a mazy run before having his 20-yard effort well saved in 89 minutes.

Skipper Ross Docherty dispossessed an opponent on the edge of the box before shooting inches wide two minutes later. A Crawford rocket was tipped over the bar by Ferguson two minutes into injury-time.

STARMAN: Robbie Crawford 3

Andy Geggan 2

David Ferguson 1.