Brechin City 1
Ayr United 1
League (League One)

Match Report

United responded positively after Tuesday night’s 6-3 defeat to Stranraer by grinding out a point at Glebe Park.

A first half strike from Anthony Marenghi gave Ayr an early lead before Brechin levelled the scores in the second half.

Alan Lithgow wasn’t involved in the game after being admitted to the hospital early on Saturday morning. However, he was later cleared by the doctors and could feature against Stenhousemuir next weekend.

Kyle McAusland returned to the starting line-up and partnered Scott McLaughlin in the centre of defence.

After 15 minutes, Brechin had an early goal scoring opportunity when Andy Ryan was sent clean through but he raked his shot wide of the target.

After 40 minutes, Hutton was called into action and was forced to pull off a magnificent point blank save from a Graham Hay header.

United immediately responded and with their first shot on target, they hit the back of the net after 43 minutes.

Anthony Marenghi shifted the ball onto his left foot from 25 yards before rattling it home with a fierce hit.

In the second half, Ayr United defended strongly with Kyle McAusland impressing and proving to be a composed figure in the heart of Ayr’s rear guard.

Brian Gilmour made his first start for the club and controlled proceedings by helping to start attacks with pinpoint long range passes.

After 75 minutes, Brechin equalised when a dangerous cross made its way to the back post allowing Andy Jackson to prod home.

He proved a thorn in Ayr’s side and was close to scoring a second when he rifled a close range shot towards goal but Hutton stood his ground and somehow managed to make the save.

United had eyes on the three points too and went close in the remaining two minutes with Donald rattling the ball towards Smith’s near post, hitting the goal frame.

After the match, Mark Roberts said: “We were comfortable in the first half and scored a wonderful goal.

“As soon as the ball fell to Marenghi, I had no doubts he would score and it proved to be the case.

“In the second half, it was backs against the wall without them having too many clear cut chances.

“After they scored their goal, I was thinking about how my boys would react after Tuesday night, but they reacted in the right way and we had chances to win.

“We proved that Tuesday night was just a blip. I was disappointed with the reaction of some people after that game but we were pleased to get a point at Glebe Park which is a hard place to come.

“Brechin have got some great players and probably have the strongest squad in the league apart from Rangers.

Scorer Anthony Marenghi said: “After Tuesday it was all about getting a positive result and we knew it would be hard as Rangers are the only team to win at Glebe Park this season.

“I was buzzing to get on the scoresheet and knew it was in as soon as I struck it. I was glad to see it go by Graeme Smith as he used to play with us so it was good to get one over on him.

“I’m always told that I need to add goals to my game, so I’ve been happy to score three recently.”

Match report written by AUFC Online