Ayr United 2
Greenock Morton 0
Scottish Cup (Third Round)

Match Report

A moment of Mikey Devlin magic helped inspire Ayr United into the Scottish Cup fourth round.

The centre half thumped home a brilliant 20 yard volley before sub Jamie Murphy put the icing on the second half cake as Ayr made the last 32.
Devlin's impact on the United defence has been massive during the last three games and he continued today with another towering performance as the Honest Men ran out deserved winners.

Boss Scott Brown had shown one change from the team which beat Dunfermline last week with Dylan Watret replacing the injured Mark McKenzie.

But it was the visitors who went close to an early opener when Morgan Boyes blasted over an Owen Moffat corner from six yards.
United were well on top after the break and Connor McLennan fired an effort inches wide as they pressed.

Their goal arrived then from an unlikely source when a McMann cross fell to Devlin and he buried a volley from the edge of the box.

Ayr continued to pile forward and Oakley spurned a good chance with just Ryan Mullen to beat. But they rounded off the win when substitute Murphy stroked home a cutback from fellow sub Nick McAllister.

The tie was played at a frantic pace during the first half with both sides throwing plenty into attack. And 'Ton should have been ahead when Jordan Davies was clean through, only to be denied by a brilliant saving tackle by Scott McMann.

Moffat then curled a free kick inches wide before Cammy Blues drew a brilliant stop from Liam Russell as the visitors continued to press.

But Ayr also had chances and Jay Henderson had loud appeals for a penalty waved away before Goerge Oakley saw his close range header saved.

Match report written by Ayrshire Post