Ladbrokes Championship
AYR UNITED 1
GREENOCK MORTON 2

CALAMITOUS defending cost United as they crashed at home to a Morton side who are unbeaten in 2020.

United were on a high, unbeaten in four league matches going into this clash and were up against a Morton side they had defeated 4-2 in the season opener.

After an almost impeccable minute’s silence in memory of former Ayr United captain Stan Quinn, the action got underway with Ayr sharp early on.
Michael Moffat made a fine run in 12 minutes before dribbling just wide of target in 12 minutes.

New boy Grant Gillespie played a ball into the box in 18 minutes, but there were no takers.

United took the lead in impressive style in 22 minutes when recent signing Connor Maley made a great run into the box and lifted the ball over goalie Danny Rogers from 10 yards.

A Kalvin Orsi effort from just outside the box was well saved by Ross Doohan in 27 minutes.

But Morton levelled in 29 minutes when Orsi blasted home from 12 yards after the home defence had failed to deal with three cross balls.

United were denied a penalty claim a minute after the break when Aaron Drinan looked to have had his heels clipped inside the box.

Reghan Tumilty came close in 49 minutes when his ferocious 25-yard drive went high and wide.

Great play from Orsi won Morton a corner-kick in 54 minutes but it came to nothing.

Moffat saw his shot from six yards saved by Danny Rogers after he latched on to a Danny Harvie cross in 56 minutes.

An Alan Forrest rocket from 25 yards was well saved by Rogers in 67 minutes.

Another thunderbolt from Tumilty 25 yards out was saved by Doohan.

Morton hit the front when Nicky Cadden drove the ball home from 12 yards following a misjudgement by Doohan in 72 minutes.

Ayr spurned a great chance when Sam Roscoe headed wide from eight yards in 76 minutes.

A Stephen Kelly free-kick from 25 yards was confidently saved by Rogers in 88 minutes.

Less than a minute later Harvie saw his shot from 22 yards smothered by the visiting goalie as the Greenock side held on for the win.

AYR UNITED: Doohan; Houston, Malley, Forrest, Harvie, Moffat, Drinan, Kelly, Roscoe, Gillespie.

Subs: Hare-Reid, Tiffoney, McCowan, Smith, Kerr, Murphy, Ecrepont.