Ayr United 1
Dunfermline Athletic 0
League (Championship)

Match Report

Ayr United recorded back-to-back Scottish Championship wins with a dominant victory against Dunfermline Athletic, Jay Henderson's second-half goal proving decisive.

Saturday's only second-tier fixture to survive the wintry weather had kick-off delayed and both sides struggled to get going owing to the conditions, Ayr's Scott McCann going close with a vicious effort from 30 yards.

Dylan Watret entered the pitch after an injury for Mark MacKenzie and instantly instilled a level of urgency with some slick link-up play with the hosts' Marcos Rus.

Henderson and Connor McLennan tested Tobi Oluwayemi in the first half and Henderson broke the deadlock with a carbon copy of an earlier fierce effort by Watret.

Dapo Mebude almost levelled, his shot straight at goalkeeper Liam Russell, and the Pars' late changes could not produce a late turnaround.

Ayr move to within a point of Livingston, who are second, while Dunfermline remain seven points above bottom side Airdrieonians.

What the managers said
Ayr United manager Scott Brown: "We wanted the game to go on just at a normal time because our lads with pre-match and stuff as they usually do, we were prepared for it.

"We had the little bit of extra time to get ready but let's not worry about that, it's more about the result and the performance."

Dunfermline Athletic manager James McPake: "The issue was at 9:30 GMT when the bus had left East End Park and how long it was going to take. We knew the pitch was going to be good, there's been a lot of investment on this pitch.

"We asked for the kick-off to be pushed back further. Their players were preparing for a 15:00 kick-off. That's completely acceptable from Ayr United in my opinion but what I don't think is acceptable is the fact that it took the SPFL until, I don't know what time it was, when we got confirmation when the kick-off was. It's the governing body and it's the decision maker and I see other games that are moved back."

Match report written by BBC