Raith Rovers 1
Ayr United 1
League (Second Division)

Match Report

JEROME VAREILLE grabbed a point for Ayr as their cup hangover took its toll at Stark’s Park.

United looked far from their best during a scrappy 90 minutes but should still have taken all three points against under-par Raith.

Ayr were missing Raymond Logan through suspension while Johnny Baillie’s back strain kept him sidelined and their physical presence was notable by its absence.

But after a slow start, it was United who fashioned the better chances with Craig Conway proving the architect for two opportunities which should have yielded goals.

His 12th minute cross was headed over by Chris Robertson after the big striker had done the hard part in rising above the home defence but couldn’t direct his effort on target.

Five minutes later, Conway was again the provider as his free-kick found the head of Martyn Campbell and his goalbound effort was cleared off the line by Scott Wilson.

But those missed chances were punished midway through the first half when Raith nosed ahead against the run of play after some indecisive Ayr defending.

Brian Fairbairn’s cross from the right wasn’t cut out and Raith were given three bites at the cherry before Mark Crilly finally rammed the ball home from ten yards.

But Ayr were back in their stride within minutes and Robertson did well with a surging run into the box before squaring for Vareille and the Frenchman would surely have equalised but for a bobble in the pitch taking the ball off his foot just six yards from goal.

United came out for the second half with much more urgency in their play and the piercing runs of Gareth Wardlaw began to trouble the home defence.

And Ayr levelled on the hour when Wardlaw did superbly to run from the halfway line, beating three men on his way, before unselfishly playing in Vareille who converted with a cool finish from 12 yards.

The game was flung wide open from there with Raith finally drawn from their shell and they went close to re-taking the lead when Laurie Ellis headed just over and then sub Pat Clarke hit the post.

But Ayr still had control of the midfield and when Chris Strain replaced Paul Weaver, United had an extra dimension going forward which looked like producing a winning goal.

And it almost arrived with fourteen minutes left when a Conway shot was spilled to sub Andy Reid and his header agonisingly hit the post before the impressive Kieran McAnespie was ruled offside for knocking home the rebound.

McAnespie had the final chance of the game in the closing stages when he sent a half volley just over the bar from the edge of the box as Ayr were left frustrated that their second half efforts failed to bring proper reward.

Match report written by Ayr United FC Official Website