Ladbrokes League One
ALBION ROVERS 2 
AYR UNITED 3
By Hugh Maxwell and Calum Campbell

THE Honest Men extended their lead at the top of League 1 to six points after they ground out a hard-fought win over Albion Rovers at Cliftonhill on Tuesday night.

First half goals from Craig Moore and Jamie Adams put Ayr into what seemed a commanding position only for 2 defensive errors to undermine their two-goal cushion and allow Hester to grab a goal back before the break and Trouten to slot home an equaliser.

Buoyed with confidence, the Wee Rovers pushed United hard, but the league leaders dug deep, and it paid dividends with Lawrence Shankland striking the final goal of the match ensuring that the 3 points came back to Ayrshire.

Ayr’s first came after 27 minutes. Alan Forrest swung in a corner from the right, Stevie Bell rose near the penalty spot to head the ball down and Craig Moore turned the ball home from two yards.

Ayr were well in charge and it was no surprise when they doubled their lead nine mins later. Albion Full back Alan Kerr needlessly gave away a freekick some 25 yards out, allowing his namesake, United’s Mark Kerr, to play the ball to the back of the box where Andy Geggan fired the ball across the face of goal for Jamie Adams to slot home from close range.

It looked like easy street for United, but the home side were handed a way back into the match in 38 minutes when goalkeeper Jack Ruddy misjudged the flight of a Scott McLaughlin freekick and charged out of his goals allowing Ross Perry to knock on and Kane Hester tap home into the undefended net.

A despondent Rovers became recharged and the game became a real contest. Ayr went into the break one goal up but Albion, fighting for their survival in the league, came out for the second 45 in determined mood.

In 65 minutes, the home side drew level and again with an assist from United.

Captain, Paddy Boyle appeared to be under no pressure near the edge of the box and casually headed back to his keeper. Former Ayr midfielder Alan Trouten saw his chance, nipped in, flicked the ball over Ruddy’s head and then touched the ball home.

Albion had their dander up, but this United team have a desire to win and in 75 minutes, they grabbed all three points. Substitute Craig McGuffie cut in from the right and released a swerving drive from 20 yards out that keeper Daniel Potts couldn’t hold, and the alert Lawrence Shankland pounced, smashing the ball into the net, sparking joyous celebrations from the 450 travelling Ayr fans.

It was hearts in mouth time for Ayr in the final minute when Andy Geggan appeared to have barged Albion substitute Sean Higgins to the ground in the box as he prepared to shoot but referee Stephen Finnie waved the home side’s claims away.

Next up for Ayr the visit of Queens Park to Somerset on Saturday.

Star Man

Michael Rose 3

Steven Bell 2

Craig Moore 1
ALBION ROVERS: Potts; Reid, Baur, Marr, Perry, McLeish, Fisher, McLaughlin, Hester, Trouten, Scullion. Substitutes: Finnie (GK) (Trialist), MacDonald, McMullin, Hopkins, Victoria, Watters, Higgins.

AYR UNITED: Ruddy; Geggan, Bell, Rose, Boyle, Forrest, Adams, Kerr, Crawford, Shankland, Moore. Substitutes: Hart (GK), Moffat, McDaid, McGuffie, Ferguson, Docherty, Reid.

Referee: Stephen Finnie

Attendance: 652