Stirling Albion 1
Ayr United 0
League (Second Division)

Match Report

AYR were left cursing their luck yet again as a controversial second half penalty sent them to defeat at foggy Forthbank.

Ref Alan Freeland pointed to the spot after Martyn Campbell brushed Albion winger David O’Brien off the ball for what looked a soft award just four minutes after the restart.

Chris Aitken slammed home the penalty to leave United seething and despite dominating the second period, Ayr couldn’t find an equaliser.

Boss Robert Connor had stuck with the same team which drew with Morton last week so that meant a place on the bench for big money signing David Lowing.

The new man watched as both teams struggled in a first half which was more noteable for the thick fog engulfing Forthbank than any of the dull action on the pitch.

Chances in the mist were few and far between with neither keeper forced into making a first period save.

It took 16 minutes for the ball to make an appearance in either side’s six yard box when a Stewart Devine corner sparked panic among the Ayr defence who managed to clear through a combination of flailing arms and legs.

Ayr’s only chance of the half fell to Jerome Vareille in the 26th minute when the Frenchman collected a neat backheel from Chris Robertson but shot straight at Myles Hogarth when he should have done better.

New boy Lowing was then called into action quicker than expected when he stepped off the bench in the 32nd minute to replace the injured James McKinstry.

Ayr required a reshuffle with Mark Casey pulled into the right back slot and Lowing going into his natural position at left back while Kieran McAnespie moved forward into the centre of midfield.

And soon after, Ayr had a scare when Albion registered their closest thing to a goal with an O’Brien shot from the edge of the box which flew just over.

The fog lifted at half-time and so did the tempo of the game as both sides came out fighting after the interval.

And it wasn’t long before the moment of controversy when Campbell appeared to do little more than use his strength to brush O’Brien off the ball.

However, referee Freeland had no hesitation in pointing to the spot when the Albion winger hit the deck and Aitken made no mistake from the resultant kick.

United were fired up with a sense of injustice and went in search of a reply with Raymond Logan leading a one man rescue mission.

The skipper went close with three attempts in as many minutes as Stirling were pushed firmly on to the backfoot.

His first shot from the edge of the box was held at the second attempt by Hogarth before a similar effort two minutes later had to be brilliantly tipped wide by the Stirling keeper.

Then sixty seconds later, a great move saw Vareille feed Craig Conway before the winger’s cutback was met by Logan and his shot was deflected just wide.

But Ayr ran out of steam after that short burst and although dominating the play, they couldn’t seriously test Hogarth again as Albion held on for the three points.

Match report written by Ayr United FC Official Website