Partick Thistle 1
Ayr United 0
League (Second Division)

Match Report

ANOTHER defensive error cost Ayr dear as Jukka Santala’s first half strike handed Thistle the points.

The giant Finn capitalised on a mistake by Andy Reid just seconds before the break to hammer an unstoppable winner into the top corner.

It was a better overall performance from a weakened United side who made SIX changes from the one which lost by that many goals at Dumbarton last week.

But the same old story of unforced errors continues to haunt the Honest Men as they battle to break a winless league run which now stands at ten games.

Mark Casey and Paul Weaver were given the task of replacing suspended duo Raymond Logan and Dougie Ramsay, while Barry McLaughlin returned to defence and Ayr were more organised with his presence.

But they were rocking in the early stages and only a wonder save from Mark McGeown kept the scores level when he dived to tip a Ricky Gillies drive round the post.

The lively Graham Dorrans was Ayr’s chief tormenter and he warmed McGeown’s palms just sixty seconds later as the United keeper looked set for a busy afternoon.

Ayr were struggling to get out of their own half and Weaver was almost punished for losing possession in the eighth minute when Santala launched an audacious lob from 40 yards which sailed just over.

And the Jags should have been ahead after a flowing move which saw Dorrans brilliantly backheel for Gillies but the former St Mirren man’s cross was headed wide by Santala.

Ayr almost took advantage on a rare counter attack when Craig Conway’s shot was deflected by a Thistle defender into the path of Stuart Boyd but the unmarked striker shot straight at Colin Stewart from just six yards when he should have buried the chance.

After weathering the early storm, Ayr were growing in confidence with midfield pair Casey and Weaver coming into the game. Frustrations almost boiled over for the home side when Stewart and Marc Smyth had top be separated after a remarkable bust-up over a ball which wasn’t properly cleared.

And with home fans getting restless, Ayr sensed chances. Casey strode forward in the 41st minute and his low drive was gathered by Stewart as United came out of their shell.

But just as half time loomed, Reid wanted too much time on the ball at the edge of his own box and gifted possession to Dorrans who quickly fed Santala and the ball was soon bursting the net.

It was always going to be a long road back from that killer blow but Ayr battled during a second half which never got going.

Sean Kilgannon dragged an effort just wide before Ayr wasted a glorious chance to steal a point when a Conway corner found its way to Boyd at the backpost but he couldn’t stab home from just two yards.

The writing was on the wall from there and Thistle came close to adding a second goal when Jimmy Gibson’s shot was well saved by McGeown who then dived on the rebound at Mark Roberts’ feet.

But United kept going until the death and could have nicked a point in stoppage time when Chris Robertson rose highest for a corner but his header was blocked by a ruck of bodies on the six yard line and booted to safety.

Match report written by Ayr United FC Official Website