Partick Thistle 2
Ayr United 2
League (Second Division)

Match Report

A STIRRING second half fightback gained Ayr a precious point as they came close to flooring the Jags at Firhill.

Goals from Chris Robertson and Craig Conway hauled United back from the brink as they produced one of their best performances in months to boost hopes of survival.

The result was put in perspective by one look at Ayr's defensive line-up which saw Robertson and David Lowing pitched in as a makeshift centre back pairing in the absence of Martyn Campbell and Barry McLaughlin.

And after a shaky start which saw Thistle take a two goal lead, Ayr's patched up side roared back for a thoroughly deserved point.

The defensive problems were evident from the opening minutes when a Scott McCulloch free-kick drifted over a static back four and allowed Billy Gibson a free header on goal but the midfielder sent his effort wide.

But the early let-off only delayed the inevitable breakthrough as Thistle grabbed their first in the 18th minute. Stephen McConalogue's through ball was left by the Ayr defence trying to play offside and Mark Roberts charged in behind to fire past Mark McGeown.

There was more indecision on the half hour when Lowing couldn't control a high ball and McConalogue stole possession but failed to make the most of his chance from 18 yards.

And soon after, Ayr were lucky not to be two down when they again tried playing offside to no avail and Gibson stole in behind to cross for Roberts who smashed a volley straight at McGeown from six yards.

But it was United who ended the first half the stronger and they came close to levelling when Dougie Ramsay played in Jerome Vareille but the Frenchman's shot from just inside the box skimmed the bar on its way over.

It offered hope for the second half but that appeared to be dashed just three minutes after the restart when Gibson cracked home a loose clearance from 30 yards to put Thistle on easy street.

However, Ayr rolled up the sleeves and were soon thrown a lifeline when a great team move saw Conway and Vareille combine to feed Kieran McAnespie down the left and his cross was tapped home by the unmarked Robertson from six yards.

Ayr were right back in it and thought they'd levelled midway through the second half when a Chris Strain free-kick was headed goalwards by Robertson and Vareille touched the ball home on the line. However, the linesman's flag denied United the goal which would have stood had Vareille left Robertson's goalbound effort alone.

But Partick were well and truly on the ropes with wave upon wave of Ayr attack and the impressive Paul Weaver sent Raymond Logan through with a clever reverse pass but the skipper's shot from an angle was saved by Kenny Arthur.

Then came the equaliser 13 minutes from time when Conway produced a dazzling solo effort as he ran at the Jags defence before cutting inside from the left and crashing a shot low past the helpless Arthur to spark scenes of joy amongst the travelling support.

There was only one winner from there and Ayr poured forward in search of the elusive goal as Partick prayed for full time to save them.

A Strain corner in the 83rd minute was met by Ramsay and he watched as Arthur came to his side's rescue to tip the ball over, and then from the resultant Strain corner, Logan steamed in to head wide.

In the end, the final whistle came too soon for an Ayr side who proved that the quality is there but so too is the fighting spirit ahead of what is sure to be a tough run-in.

Match report written by Ayr United FC Official Website