AYR United exited the League Cup at Premiership Ross County on Tuesday but returned homewards with their heads held high after a battling performance.

Manager Ian McCall said he was happy about his teams performance against a team two leagues above them and commended the player despite missing key squad members for the match.

The match opened at a frantic pace with Ross County racing to a one nil lead after only two minutes. The ball was played high into Ayr United’s penalty area where Jackson Irvine cushioned the ball with his chest before deflecting the ball into the path of Liam Boyce who fired home from six yards out. This was the worst possible start for United but it did not knock them off their stride.

Throughout the first half Ayr matched Ross County in all areas of the park with Michael Donald outstanding for The Honest Men. Ayr were dealt a blow in 22 minutes when Alan Trouten left the field with a groin injury to be replaced by youngster, Alan Forrest but this did not disrupt the flow of United’s play.

Although Ross County had the greater possession and chances Ayr still caused The Staggies problems with efforts from Caldwell, Donald and McCracken going close. As half time approached United were on the front foot, forcing Ross County to defend deeply which seemed to bode well for the beginning of the second half.

Half-time saw Ayr replace Caldwell with Preston as manager McCall set out his stall to go for goal but just as in the first half, it was Ross County who made the early breakthrough. After only four minutes Boyce batted for the ball before giving the ball to Gardyne who curled a terrific left foot shot past Fleming to make it 2-0.

Although United battled manfully throughout the rest of the half, The Staggies appeared to grow in confidence with United doing little damage in the final third.

Ayr can be happy with their performance with a team resting most of its major players, giving a strong performance against a classy Ross County side with Mikey Donald, Jordan Preston, Craig McCracken, Ross Docherty and Greg Fleming excelling.

AYR UNITED: Fleming; Devlin, Boyle, Docherty, McLauchlan, McCracken, Gilmour, Adams, Caldwell, Trouten, Donald. Substitutes Newman (GK), Forrest, Preston, Moor, Nisbet, Muir.