Ayr United 2
Brechin City 2
League (League One)

Match Report

United remain unbeaten in the league despite a below par second half performance which saw them let a two goal lead slip against 10 man Brechin City.

The home side flew out of the traps and dominated Brechin in the opening stages before the Glebe Park side had a man sent off.

Ayr then notched two goals before half time but in the second period, City fought hard and scored an equaliser in the dying moments to deflate United.

Due to injuries and suspensions, Ayr were unchanged from last Saturday’s draw against Stenhousemuir with trialist Kevin Kyle starting on the bench once again.

Ayr were the more sprightly side early on, pouring forward at every opportunity with Malcolm testing goalkeeper Smith with a point blank shot after 14 minutes.

The turning point of the game came after 32 minutes when Graham Hay committed a reckless challenge, sliding through the back of Michael Moffat.

With Brechin down to 10 men, United found more time on the ball and were able to lead 2-0 at the half time break following two well worked goals.

After 42 minutes, Michael Moffat executed a neat dink over the top of the stranded Graeme Smith.

Minutes later, on the stroke of half time, Mark Roberts crossed to the unmarked McGowan who was able to fire home.

In the second half, Ayr looked to take advantage of their extra man on the field and went close to notching a third when Adam Hunter smacked the ball across the face of goal but saw it fly wide.

Brechin remained a threat though and were constantly driving forward with purpose. They went close after 65 minutes when Marenghi had to clear the ball off the line.

They then stunned Ayr when Alan Trouten nodded home unmarked at the back post with 68 minutes on the clock.

Mark Roberts fielded Kevin Kyle in the hope of scoring a third but it was Brechin who were in the ascendency.

In the 92nd minute, Ayr’s worst fears were realised when Paul McLean slammed the ball home following a point blank Hutton save.

After the match, a frustrated Mark Roberts said: “It was a game of two halves but we shouldn’t have given them the option of getting back into the game.

“We didn’t pass the ball at all in the second half considering we were brave and put nearly four up front.

“Our two central midfielders didn’t get on the ball enough which I wasn’t happy about as they need to go and dictate the game.

“In the first half we were excellent and were the better team.

“I just can’t believe we didn’t keep possession of the ball when we were down to 10 men.

“This is just a blip for us though. We are a lot better than what we showed in the second half and we’ll bounce back.

“We may be unbeaten after six games but draws kill you. If we win our next game we could end up second in the table so it’s by no means a disaster but we need to start winning soon.

“The team have been brilliant so far this season but I think they’ll all hold their hands up and say they let the fans down.”

Match report written by AUFC Online