Ladbrokes League One

AYR UNITED 2

FORFAR ATHLETIC 1

by Stewart McConnell

INSPIRATIONAL Ryan Stevenson ensured United fans were singing in the rain at a saturated Somerset Park as his glorious double helped snap a two-game losing streak.

With the Oscar season in full swing, Stevo truly was bumper box office, with his second goal as good as any we have seen in Scotland for the past few weeks.

Once again he played a starring role in what as a memorable win although the supporting cast, which included fast-improving teenager Michael Wardrope played a big part in what was a much-needed win.

This was a battling performance in an at times scrappy affair played in extremely testing conditions. But at the end of the day, victory was all that mattered.

Manager Ian McCall was relived at the result and said: "It was a horrendous day again, but we fully deserved to win. I was just frustrated we didn't score more goals for the fans. The attendance wasn't good but I thank every single one of them for coning out on a day like this. Craig Moore had two one-on-ones and Alan Forrest had chances. We could have won 4-1 or 5-1 had we taken our chances."

Ayr began well and a cross into the box by Mikey Donald was scrambled clear by the visiting defence in five minutes. Forfar had an opportunity four minutes later when a 12-yard shot from Andy Ryan was smothered by Greg Fleming in the home goal.The visitors came close in 13 minutes when a fizzing effort from the edge of the box by Gareth Rodgers glanced just wide.

The best chance of the game so far came a minute later when Ryan had Fleming to beat from eight yards but luckily shot over the bar.

United forged their best opening in 15 minutes when an Alan Forrest rocket from 16 yards was tipped on to the post by visiting goalie Darren Hill. A Mikey Donald effort from six yards was cleared by the Forfar defence two minutes later and from the resultant corner-kick the ball broke to skipper Nicky Devlin 16 yards out but a defender blocked the ball on the line

Fleming made a great save from a Rodger header six yards out following a corner-kick in 29 minutes. Ayr came close four minutes later when a Stevenson effort from eight yards was deflected wide by the visiting defence.

However Ayr deservedly made the breakthrough in 39 minutes when a Michael Wardrope corner-kick was powerfully headed home at the near post by Stevenson. Ayr came so close to scoring again in 42 minutes when a rasping 12-yard drive from Jordan Preston produced a superb reflex save from Hill.

Forfar came very close in. 50 minutes when a Ryan header from eight yards was saved on the line by Fleming. At the other end in 53 minutes, Forrest found himself in a good position 20 yards out but shot just high and wide. Devlin swung a cross into the box in 59 minutes and it was deflected into the path of Preston who shot straight at Hill from eight yards

A cross into the box by Gavin Swankie was headed clear by Paddy Boyle in 62 minutes. Another chance was squandered by the hosts a minute later when Craig Moore sent a 22-yard shot well wide. Then in 66 minutes Wardrope sent a 22-yard free-kick from 22 yards. However a minute later it was all-square when Ryan shot home from close range.

Donald then made a 30-yard run and found Forrest and he set up Moore whose shot from eight yards was well saved by Hill in 73 minutes.

Ayr surged into the lead in 76 minutes when a Boyle throw-in broke to Stevenson who sent home a spectacular overhead kick from 14 yards.

The hosts should have killed it off six minutes later when Donald had Hill to beat from six yards but contrived to shoot over the bar

Moore looked to have been fouled inside the box by the Visiting goalie. But his appeals for a penalty fell on deaf ears.

Ayr were awarded a free-kick a minute into stoppage time after Devlin was tripped on the edge of the box and the set-piece by Donald was blocked by the defence as United held on for a vital victory.

AYR UNITED: Fleming; Devlin, Boyle, Murphy Graham, Stevenson, Wardrope, Forrest (Trouten 71), Preston (Crawford 71), Donald, Moore. Subs not used: Newman, McLauchlan, McCracken.

STARMAN: Ryan Stevenson 3

Michael Wardrope 2

Alan Forrest 1