<p class="teaser">SPFL League One FORFAR ATHLETIC 1 AYR UNITED 3 <p class="teaser">SPFL League One FORFAR ATHLETIC 1 AYR UNITED 3 <p class="teaser">IN a week when we prepare to pay tribute to the heroes of the Second World War on the 70th anniversary of VE Day, impressive Ayr pulled off their own version of blockbuster movie the Great Escape on an unforgettable afternoon at chilly Station Park.

Roared on by a vociferous crowd of more than 400 who had packed out supporters’ buses and made the long trip north in their cars, Ian McCall’s men produced a snarling, sabre-rattling performance which ensured survival and must have left the crowd wondering which team were chasing the title.

This victory was perhaps unfathomable a few weeks earlier when the Honest Men had capitulated at home to Peterhead, losing 4-2 after leading 2-0. But recent performances, albeit not results had been good and suggested a display like this was surely going to come - and what a day for everything to click into place.

Dick Campbell’s men went into the match knowing a win may be good enough to capture the title while Ayr approached it knowing victory may be required to stop them slipping into the angst-ridden relegation playoffs.

As McCall told them they had their fate in their own hands and could only afford to concentrate on their game without bothering about how drop zone rivals Stenhousemuir were faring.

As it turned out they need not have fretted as the Warriors lost to basement team Stirling Albion. But what a way to assure their survival with this victory, which was ong overdue and surely will give McCall and his team a platform to really kick on during season 2015-16.

Back to the action and visiting defender Nicky Devlin upended Danny Denholm on the edge of the box in two minutes but the free-kick came to nothing. Good play from Robbie Crawford a minute later won Ayr a corner but it came to nothing.

However major drama flared in five minutes when <a id="KonaLink1" href="http://www.ayradvertiser.com/sport/matchreports/articles/2015/05/06/531436-ayr-uniteds-great-escape-in-final-drama/" class="kLink"><span class="kLink">Dale </span><span class="kLink">Hilson</span></a> was tripped inside the box by David Hutton who was booked and the same player dusted himself down to net from the spot . The hosts came close again two minutes later when Peter Malcolm headed narrowly wide from six yards.

The home side came so close again in 14 minutes when Hilson went on a darting run only to shoot narrowly wide from 16 yards.

There was s scare for Ayr in 24 minutes when Peter Murphy slipped in midfield and was dispossessed by Gavin Swankie. The striker sset up Martyn Fotheringham whose shot from eight yards was deflected wide by the Ayr defence.

The game took a stunning twist in 35 minutes when Adam Blakeman was bundled down inside the box by <a id="KonaLink2" href="http://www.ayradvertiser.com/sport/matchreports/articles/2015/05/06/531436-ayr-uniteds-great-escape-in-final-drama/" class="kLink"><span class="kLink">Michael </span><span class="kLink">Dunlop</span></a> and skipper Jon Paul McGovern showed great composure to net from the penaty spot.

Then less than a minute later the Loons were reduced to 10 men when Dunlop, who had been booked in the penalty incident was given a second yellow card for a rash challenge on Robbie Crawford which required the midfielder requiring treatment.

And the noisy visiting fans were in raptures in 41 minutes when Preston outjumped the home defence to send home a looping header from 10 yards following a stunning Brian Gilmour cross Ayr were in total control and making the most of the man advantage. They had a good opening in 50 minutes but Devlin shot well over the bar from the edge of the box. Then a minute later a Devlin header from a Gilmour cross was cleared by a home defender.

Ayr then carved out another chance in 54 minutes when Gilmour sent a 25-yard effort over the bar.

Forfar should have done better in 58 minutes when Hilson shot well over the bar from 25 yards. Devlin was then booked for diving in 61 minutes after being tackled by Denholm.

Ayr came so close again in 62 minutes when Preston dodged two challenges before having his shot parried by Rab Douglas and the home defence cleared the danger.

Ayr went 3-1 ahead in 66 minutes when Alan Forrest drilled home a shot from 10 yards, sendin the visiting fans into delirium.

Ayr could gave scored again in 69 minutes but a 30-yard Blakeman free-kick was saved on the line by Douglas. Back at the other end a minute later a Demholm cross into the box was Hooked away by a defender. Devlin then saw his shot from 12 yards well saved by Douglas. Hutton made a brilliant block on the line from Kerr Hay in 73 minutes but Forfar were struggling to make an impact.

Ayr were so close to totally putting the game to bed in 76 minutes when a 30-yard Crawford rocket was spectacularly tipped over the bar by former Celtic goalie Rab Douglas, But they had done more than enough to win as Forfar looked a spent force and hundreds of fans headed up the motorway with emotions of both relief and ecstasy. This has been a hugely challenging, white knuckle ride of a season but United will surely come out of it a stronger team who can improve next season.

AYR UNITED: Hutton 7; Devlin 7; Blakeman 8;Murphy 7; McKenna 8; McGovern 7; Gilmour 8; Crawford 8 (Murray 77, 3); Preston 8; Forrest 8 (Beattie 75, 3); Robertson 7 ( Campbell 75, 4). Unused subs: Mikey Donald, Morgyn Neill, Ryan Nisbet, Shaun Newman/ For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.

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