Ayr United 2
Gretna 4
League (Second Division)

Match Report

AYR made it an unlucky thirteen as their winless run extended in cruel fashion against runaway champs-in-waiting Gretna.

United battled hard and looked to have gained a deserved point with Craig Conway's late penalty which made it 2-2.

But the league leaders proved their worth by powering up the park and Ryan McGuffie bagged a last minute double as the Ayr defence went to sleep.

Robert Connor had stuck with the same 16 from Saturday's game with Raith but the difference in class was apparent from the start.

Gretna knocked the ball about with ease and looked a level above United, who chased hard but made little impression in the early going.

Mark McGeown was required to make a top drawer save in the 12th minute as Derek Townsley sent McGuffie through but the midfielder's drive was parried to safety.

But it was no surprise when Gretna took the lead eight minutes later as Stevie Tosh crossed for John O'Neil to fire home from just inside the box.

It lit a fire under Ayr and they were forced into attacking to try and get back into the game.

And it took just seven minutes to get a reward when Paul Weaver produced a defence splitting pass for Jerome Vareille to run on and slot past Alan Main for goal number 12 of the season.

The game was now alive and Gretna almost re-took the lead on the half hour when James Grady's cross looked to be heading in when it was met by McGuffie but McGeown cleared off the line.

Ayr had chances of their own, though, and a Chris Strain cutback in the box found skipper Raymond Logan and his sidefoot effort flew just over the top.

Then just as Ayr were getting on top towards the end of the half, Gretna gained a huge stroke of luck as James McKinstry turned a cross into his own net.

It was tough on Ayr, who then restructured at half-time as they aimed to chase the game after the break by putting Chris Robertson up front with Vareille.

It took a while for the tide to turn but eventually it did as Ayr grew in confidence with the clock ticking down.

Vareille came close with a dipping effort from 22 yards which flew just wide and then Robertson had a shot saved as United pressed forward.

The positive approach paid off with five minutes to go when David Nicholls was penalised for handball in the box and Conway stepped up to coolly slot home the equaliser.

But the joy among the players and fans was short-lived as Ayr switched off from the restart and allowed Gretna to steal all three points.

McGuffie rammed home from close range at the backpost to deflate United before the same man went down in the box during injury time and picked himself up to slam home the resultant penalty kick.

It was a fine effort from Ayr but one that left manager Connor fuming at his players' lack of ability to hold on to a vital point.

Match report written by Ayr United FC Official Website