Ayr United 3
Queen's Park 2
League (Championship)

Match Report

Luke McBeth struck in the third minute of stoppage time to give Ayr United a dramatic victory over Queen’s Park at Somerset Park. United twice saw their lead cancelled out by Aidan Connolly before the defender settled a five-goal contest with a late winner.

Ross Taylor opened the scoring in the 26th minute, with Kevin Holt providing the assist, to put Gary Naysmith’s side ahead. Ayr held that advantage until the interval, but Queen’s Park drew level twelve minutes into the second half through Connolly.

United regained the lead in the 67th minute when Marco Rus scored from Scott McMann’s delivery, restoring the home side’s advantage just ten minutes after the equaliser. Naysmith then made a triple substitution, introducing Thomas Hatton, Kieran Shanks and Jamie Murphy for Taylor, Rus and Josh Landers.

Queen’s Park refused to give up and Connolly struck again in the 83rd minute, this time assisted by substitute Callum Smith, to make it 2–2. Ayr responded by sending on Owen Stirton and Olly Whyte in the closing stages as they sought a decisive third goal.

Both goalkeepers were called upon as the match approached stoppage time, David Mitchell saving from Murphy before Harry Stone kept out an effort from Tyrece McDonnell. McBeth then headed narrowly over following a set-piece, but the defender was to make his next opportunity count.

With three additional minutes played, Stirton had a shot blocked before McBeth fired a right-footed effort from the centre of the penalty area into the bottom-left corner. His late intervention secured all three points and left United seventh in the Championship on 15 points

Match report written by AU Archive