Ayr United 3
Raith Rovers 2
Challenge Cup (Third Round)

Match Report

Scott Brown admits his Ayr United side don't know when they're beaten after a rousing second half comeback in the Trust Trophy this afternoon.

The Honest Men were on the floor at half time after goals from Callum Smith and Dylan Easton had Raith Rovers in charge. But an almighty turnaround saw Ayr blast back to earn a place in the last 16 - and earn the glowing praise of boss Brown.
He said: "In the last two games we've let our performance levels drop in the first half. We need to switch on quicker. We cannot wait until we're 2-0 down to start playing.
"We responded today and to score three goals in the second half was exceptional. We needed to work out our press a little better and once we did that, we were a lot more comfortable in the second half.

"We should do better with both goals we concede. But we showed a great workrate, desire and hunger to get back into the game and our attitude right to the end was spot on. Winning is a habit and everyone needs to show that drive."

The visitors got a flier when Paddy Reading had his pocket picked by Lewis Jamieson and when his shot wasn't held, Callum Smith mopped up the rebound.

But worse was to follow for Ayr soon after when they played their way into more trouble, allowing Dylan Easton to fire home from 12 yards.

Kevin Dabrowski denied Jay Henderson from point blank range as Ayr looked for a response and they levelled shortly after the break when Nick McAllister's header was charged down by the hand of Ross Matthews.

Top scorer Anton Dowds stepped up to convert from the spot and put the game back in the melting pot.

United then drew level when Dylan Watret's cutback was rammed home by Dowds. Ayr were suddenly flying and within a minute of the restart they were in front.

Once again they got joy down the right as this time skipper Ben Dempsey raced clear and his cross was buried by Oakley to win it.

Match report written by Daily Record