Ladbrokes Championship

AYR UNITED 0

ST MIRREN 2

By Stewart McConnell

UNINSPIRING United produced one of their poorest performances of the season as they crashed to defeat against the basement side.

The visitors scored twice in the second half to narrow the gap on second bottom Ayr to five points with a game in hand.

This was such a huge high stakes game with Ayr without a league victory since October and the Buddies not having won in the Championship since December.

Saints had the first opportunity in two minutes when Kyle Magennis shot narrowly wide from 17 yards as the visitors began strongly.

Ayr won a corner in 10 minutes following fine work by skipper Nicky Devlin but the set-piece from Paul Cairney was easily dealt with by the visiting defence. Just a minute later at the other end a Stelios Demetriou effort from the edge of the box was deflected wide by the home defence.

Visiting player Harry Davis was booked for a late challenge on United striker Farid El Alagui in 16 minutes and the resultant free-kick from Gary Harkins was booted away by a visiting defender.

Lewis Morgan raced into the box in 20 minutes but had his effort from six yards easily saved by home goalie Greg Fleming.

Saints wasted a goalden chance in 26 minutes when a Demetriou cross broke to John Sutton who shot over the bar from four yards with just Fleming to beat.

Saints had the best chance so far on the half hour when a scorching 20-yard drive from Stevie Mallan forced a stunning reflex save from Fleming.

Then another opening came the way of the visitors when Cammy Smith shot high and just wide from 20 yards.

A 30-yard Cairney free-kick was easily saved by visiting goalie Billy O'Brien.

At half-time Ayr made a change, with striker Michael Wardrope replacing Paddy Boyle.

However six minutes after the break Saints seized the lead when Mallan played a superb through ball to Sutton who rounded Fleming and rolled the ball into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

Harkins swung over a free-kick from just outside the box on the hour but it was cleared by the visiting defence. Home defender Michael Rose was booked for a foul just over the halfway line a minute later.

Mallan then set up Cammy Smith, whose shot was skilfully touched on to the post by Fleming a minute later.

Home striker Craig Moore was yellow-carded for a foul in 64 minutes. Saints went close yet again seconds later when a Magennis shot was deflected wide by the home defence.

It was all Saints and Cairney booted a Smith effort off the line.

Another Harkins free-kick from 20 yards was cleared by a Saints defender in 71 minutes. Smith raced to the edge of the box before being challenged by Rose five minutes later.

Conrad Balatoni made a crucial tackle on Morgan on the edge of the box in 76 minutes.

United were awarded a free-kick in 81 minutes with Stephen McGinn booked for a foul on Devlin. But Cairney's set-piece was cleared. Saints then went straight up the park as Magennis slipped a pass to Morgan who powered into the box and sent an angled drive low into the bottom corner

Ayr came close in 85 minutes when an Alan Forrest effort was cleared off the line by Harry Davis. Balatoni then sent a header from a Cairney corner-kick just wide but it was too little, too late.