St Johnstone 0
Ayr United 0
League (Championship)

Match Report

St Johnstone 0
Ayr United 0
*4 October 2025*

Ayr United produced a disciplined and resilient display to earn a deserved goalless draw away to St Johnstone in a tightly contested encounter at McDiarmid Park.

The Honest Men stood firm throughout a physical and hard-fought match, frustrating their Premiership opponents with organised defending and determined midfield work while still posing a threat on the counterattack.

St Johnstone made the brighter start and forced several early corners, but Ayr defended confidently. Ethan Walker produced the visitors’ first meaningful effort after eight minutes, cutting in from the right before testing the home goalkeeper with a low strike.

As the first half progressed the contest became increasingly combative, with a series of fouls disrupting the flow of the game. Josh McPake, Adama Sidibeh and Walker all entered the referee’s notebook during a feisty spell, while Marco Rus and Kyle Ure worked tirelessly to relieve pressure and carry Ayr forward.

Despite enjoying more possession, St Johnstone struggled to create clear opportunities before the interval, with Ayr’s back four and goalkeeper David Mitchell remaining largely untroubled.

The hosts increased the pressure after the break and came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 58th minute when Kai Fotheringham forced Mitchell into an excellent save from close range. Ayr responded positively and continued to look dangerous on the break, with Marco Rus drawing a fine save from distance midway through the second half.

Scott Brown freshened his side with a triple substitution entering the final quarter, introducing Anton Dowds, George Oakley and Stuart Bannigan as Ayr looked to snatch a late winner. Dowds nearly did exactly that deep into stoppage time, but his header drifted narrowly wide of the target.

St Johnstone pushed hard in the closing stages, winning a succession of corners and free-kicks around the Ayr penalty area, but the visitors defended resolutely to secure an impressive clean sheet and a valuable point away from home.

In the end, the draw was a fair reflection of a fiercely competitive contest in which Ayr matched their higher-division opponents for determination, organisation and work rate throughout.

Match report written by BBC