Ayr United 2
Greenock Morton 1
League (Championship)

Match Report

Ayr United produced a dramatic late turnaround to defeat Greenock Morton 2–1 at Somerset Park, sealing all three points with a stoppage-time winner after a frantic conclusion to an entertaining contest.

The match was finely balanced throughout the opening stages, with both sides showing intent in attack but struggling for clear chances. Ethan Walker was Ayr’s most lively outlet early on, forcing several efforts from distance, while Morton threatened through Eamonn Brophy and Owen Moffat in a competitive first half.

Ayr gradually grew into the game and broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time when Marco Rus finished clinically from close range, steering the ball into the bottom corner to give the hosts a 1–0 lead at the interval.

The second half remained tense and increasingly physical, with both sides committing fouls in midfield and multiple bookings issued as the contest opened up. Morton pressed for an equaliser and came close through Brophy and Cameron Blues, while Ayr continued to carry a threat through Ethan Walker and Ben Dempsey.

Momentum swung dramatically after the hour mark. Morton levelled in the 76th minute when Cammy Ballantyne fired home from inside the box following sustained pressure from a corner. The visitors almost turned the game on its head moments later when Tomi Adeloye struck the post, leaving Ayr under real pressure.

Ayr responded with renewed urgency and thought they had regained control when Anton Dowds had a penalty saved in the 86th minute, denying what looked like a decisive moment. However, the home side refused to be denied.

Just one minute later, Ben Dempsey produced the winning moment, finishing confidently from close range after a well-timed assist from Jude Bonnar to restore Ayr’s lead in the 87th minute. Somerset Park erupted as Ayr saw out the remaining minutes under pressure to secure a vital victory.

In a match defined by momentum swings, missed chances and late drama, Ayr’s resilience proved decisive as they held firm to claim all three points in one of the most dramatic finishes of their season.

Match report written by BBC