Ladbrokes League One

AYR UNITED 3

QUEEN'S PARK 2

By Stewart McConnell

Pictures: David Sargent

HISTORY makers Ayr took another massive step towards title glory when a last gasp goal from super sub Alan Forrest saw then edge out Queens.

In seeing off the stubborn Spiders they equalled a 30-year-old club record of eight straight wins under Ally MacLeod en route to the Second Division title.

The late great former Scotland manager would surely be smiling down on a freezing Somerset Park as the class of 2017-18 seized their moment in the spotlight.

They have a never-say-die-attitude and despite at times careless defending they once again got over the line - even when not at your best you have to grind out results - and that's what Ian McCall's men did as they stretched their unbeaten run to a remarkable 12 games.

United opened well and came close in six minutes when Lawrence Shankland slipped a precision pass to Michael Moffat whose effort from 10 yards was blocked by the legs of Michael White in the visiting goal. Then at the other end a minute later home goalie Jordan Hart dived to save at the feet of William Mortimer from eight yards.

The hosts had another great opening in 11 minutes when Moffat was in on goal but White parried his eight-yard shot and the defence cleared the danger.

A David Galt free-kick from the edge of the box was confidently clutched by Hart in 19 minutes as the Spiders opened well.

In 24 minutes Ayr were awarded a penalty when Shankland was sent tumbling just inside the box and Craig Moore comfortably netted from the spot to fire them ahead.

Hart then made a good stop to thwart Magee just outside the box two minutes later.

Queen's came close in 32 minutes when Lewis Magee sent a header from eight yards narrowly over the bar.

Mortimer was booked for a foul on Hart inside the box in 36 minutes with the hosts awarded a free-kick, which came to nothing.

Then a minute later Shankland shot across the face of goal from six yards as relentless Ayr kept pushing forward.

However Queen's levelled in 42 minutes when Robbie Leitch slotted home from close range.

But Queen's soared into the lead in 48 minutes when a Dominic Docherty cross was turned into his own net by Craig Reid.

Then Ayr made a goal-line clearance a minute later before in 50 minutes a Shankland cross hit the side netting.

A good chance was spurned by Ayr in 56 minutes when Forrest slipped a great pass to Moffat to shoot narrowly wide from eight yards.

Another opening came in 64 minutes when Forrest shot straight at White from 25 yards.

Visiting player Anton Brady was booked for a rash challenge on Declan McDaid two minutes later. The hosts were unlucky in 68 minutes when a Moffat effort from just outside the box was tipped round the post by White.

United should have scored again in 75 minutes when a Moffat cross was headed well over the bar from eight yards by Jamie Adams.

However in 79 minutes United deservedly levelled when a Shankland shot was saved but Declan McDaid knocked home the rebound from six yards.

United were so unlucky in 82 minutes when David Ferguson twisted in the box before shooting just over the bar from 10 yards.

However a minute from time the Honest Men snatched victory when Forrest went on a darting run before cracking home an eight-yard drive.