Dunfermline Athletic 5
Ayr United 1
League (League One)

Match Report

United’s unbeaten run came crashing to an end in Dunfermline as the Pars defeated Ayr 5-1.

The Honest Men got off to a dream start through the league’s joint top scorer, Michael Moffat but the Pars hit back and led 4-1 at half time.

Ayr almost reduced the deficit in the 49th minute when Jackson Longridge tried his luck from distance, but his effort hit the bar.

The home side extended their lead in the 65th minute when Wallace fired in from the edge of the box, notching his second goal of the game.

After reflecting on the match, Mark Roberts said: “We were 1-0 up early on and really comfortable up until they scored their first after 21 minutes.

“They were awarded a penalty and at the time I thought it was the correct decision. Nobody really complained from our team which says a lot.

“After they scored, they went from strength to strength but we still had chances. Malcolm and Moffat both went close and so did McLaughlin.

“They had a 25 minute spell where everything clicked for them.

“Their second and fourth goals were absolutely world class. They could hit those shots another 99 times and not hit the target.

“I spoke to Jim Jefferies after the game and told him I thought we should have more points on the board than we have.

“He said we didn’t play badly, even though the score was 5-1. He said we have been one of the better teams they’ve faced.

“On another day, he said we could have walked away as winners.

“I’m not going to get too down about the result as the score-line is a bad reflection of how the game went.

“We’ve still only lost one game and in fourth spot which is pleasing.

“There’s no panic or doom and gloom.”

At half time, Roberts brought on himself and Longridge to try and make a positive impact.

He said: “I made the early changes and it made a difference to a certain extent but the damage was in done in the first half.

“Jackson hit the bar which was unfortunate and if that shot had went in, it might have given us a bit of momentum.

“It was a strange game, as I wanted to make a change when it went to 3-1 but we couldn’t do it before the fourth went in. That was the game defining goal as you always have a chance at 3-1.”

Next week Ayr take on Rangers after the Ibrox side defeated Stenhousemuir 8-0.

He said: “That game is a great one for us to have. There will be a big crowd and the boys will get a lift from it.

“I’m hoping they can rise to the occasion.

“I would rather play against Rangers in a high profile game at home rather than an away match against a smaller team after a poor defeat.”

Match report written by AUFC Online