2 years ago
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By Andy CampbellBBC Sport Scotland
Last updated on 17 minutes ago.From the section Scottish Championship
Sean McGinty (fourth from left) rose to head Ayr's winnerAyr United boosted their Scottish Championship promotion bid while denting visitors Airdrieonians' hopes.
Airdrie led after Josh O'Connor latched on to Nikolay Todorov's header and lifted the ball over Josh Clarke.
Anton Dowds pounced on Craig Watson's loose header back to goalkeeper Robbie Hemfrey to slot in the hosts' equaliser just after half-time.
And Ayr quickly moved ahead when captain Sean McGinty headed in substitute Jamie Murphy's free-kick.
Dean McMaster's powerful rising drive had been tipped over by Ayr keeper Clarke and Airdrie's Adam Frizzell nicked an effort wide at 0-0. McMaster was later booked for a lunge on Harry McHugh, who had a deflected effort well saved by Hemfrey at 1-0.
Ayr United climb two places to sixth and are a point off fourth-placed Airdrieonians, with Dunfermline Athletic in between also one point below the final promotion play-off place. There are four more second-tier fixtures on Saturday.
Ayr United manager Scott Brown: "It's good to see us looking up. The lads' endeavour has been exceptional. We knew we could be ruthless in front of goal, and Anton [Dowds] was. He's a willing runner. Sean [McGinty is] in the right place, Sean's very aggressive. We know where we are and we need to try and dig ourselves out the situation, and hopefully we did that tonight. We need to try and get to 40 points as quick as we can."
Ayr United captain Sean McGinty: "It's fantastic. We've not been very good at home this season. It's a massive night for the football club. [Jamie Murphy] put it right in the perfect place and I've just directed it into the far corner. It's a big one tonight. Just delighted to get the three points."
Airdrieonians player/manager Rhys McCabe: "We got ourselves in front with a good goal. For 10 minutes at the start of the second half, we gift Ayr back into the game. It was our individual mistakes that let them back into it. We had decent enough opportunities."
Line-ups
Ayr
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 38Clarke
- 2McAllister
- 23Sanders
- 14StangerSubstituted forAmarteyat 75'minutes
- 5McGinty
- 22McKenzie
- 20SylaSubstituted forSmithat 84'minutes
- 21McHugh
- 15Murphy
- 24TomlinsonSubstituted forBrydenat 45'minutes
- 16DowdsSubstituted forMcRobertsat 89'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Albinson
- 17Amartey
- 18Smith
- 27Guthrie
- 29McRoberts
- 30Bryden
Airdrieonians
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 40Hemfrey
- 15Megwa
- 16Watson
- 6Fordyce
- 5Hancock
- 14McMasterBooked at 80mins
- 24Lyall
- 10FrizzellSubstituted forGallagherat 70'minutes
- 21TelferSubstituted forMcGregorat 69'minutes
- 7O'ConnorSubstituted forMcGillat 69'minutes
- 11TodorovBooked at 70mins
Substitutes
- 2Ballantyne
- 3Taylor-Sinclair
- 8McGregor
- 9Gallagher
- 19Dunlop
- 23McGill
- 26Donnell
- 28Gallagher
- 43Hutton
Referee:David Munro
Attendance:1,871
Live Text
Match ends, Ayr United 2, Airdrieonians 1.
Second Half ends, Ayr United 2, Airdrieonians 1.
Foul by Calum Gallagher (Airdrieonians).
Joshua Clarke (Ayr United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Corner, Airdrieonians. Conceded by Paul Smith.
Corner, Airdrieonians. Conceded by Sean McGinty.
Substitution, Ayr United. Lucas McRoberts replaces Anton Dowds.
Corner, Airdrieonians. Conceded by Sean McGinty.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Substitution, Ayr United. Paul Smith replaces Roy Syla because of an injury.
Delay in match because of an injury Roy Syla (Ayr United).
Corner, Ayr United. Conceded by Robbie Hemfrey.
Foul by Kanayo Megwa (Airdrieonians).
Jamie Murphy (Ayr United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Dean McMaster (Airdrieonians) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Dean McMaster (Airdrieonians).
Harry McHugh (Ayr United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Robbie Hemfrey (Airdrieonians) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Jack Sanders (Ayr United).
Foul by Dean McMaster (Airdrieonians).
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