AYR 2 UNITED 0

United surrendered their 100% winning league start going down 2-0 to Ayr in a hard fought, entertaining game. Harvie gave the Honest Men an early lead and, despite United pressing for an equaliser, Ayr won a penalty which Forrest converted to secure a deserved three points.

By Gareth Scott

Robbie Neilson handed new signing Troy Brown an immediate debut in place of the injured Mark Connolly. That was the only change for United from the derby success two weeks ago. 

First Half 

In the opening minute Brown was called into action doing well to defend a cross from Moffat. United then threatened when Stanton and Pawlett combined to feed Appéré but the youngster's cross was just too long. Ayr then had a great chance when Moffat found space but Siegrist saved well from close range. Play was flowing back and forth and Robson sent in a low ball that Shankland missed and it fell to McMullan whose shot was cleared off the line. With nine minutes gone the hosts took the lead. Kerr's pass found Harvie who made a surging run and he held off Smith and scored low past the advancing Siegrist. United tried to hit back but Doohan saved from a McMullan shot. With 17 minutes gone Ayr almost doubled their lead when Moffat took advantage of hesitation at the back but once again Siegrist saved well from close range. United were looking dangerous on the attack and Roscoe did really well to intercept an Appéré cross with Shankland lurking. The home crowd made a loud appeal for a penalty when Brown challenged Moffat but Bobby Madden waved play on. Pawlett then tried his luck from 20 yards but Doohan saved and then on the half hour mark the Ayr keeper made a great save from Pawlett's free kick. Minutes later he was at it again, this time brilliantly tipping a Butcher shot over the crossbar. Both teams continued to threaten and bizarrely just before half time United were twice awarded free kicks inches from the penalty area when Appéré was fouled. Despite appeals from the United players neither were judged to have been in the box. 

Second Half 

United went on the attack from kick-off and Appéré did superbly on the left but unfortunately his cross evaded everyone and went out for a throw. Stanton was next to turn provider, setting up McMullan who fired wide with only the keeper to beat. With 56 minutes on the clock United again went close;McMullan crossed to Appéré at the back post but Doohan did well to save his shot. A minute later Siegrist was the United saviour with a fantastic one handed save from Forrest. With 20 minutes remaining McMullan carved out another chance, this time it fell to Liam Smith but his shot deflected wide. Two minutes later the visitors should have been level when Appéré's cross picked out Shankland who headed off the post from close range. This was to prove costly as Ayr went straight up the park and doubled their advantage. Forrest was very quick footed in the box and Butcher tripped him to concede a penalty. Forrest stepped up and sent Siegrist the wrong way. United continued to play positively and Shankland was unlucky with a looping header from a McMullan corner. Shorty after Cammy Smith replaced Pawlett and just after his introduction he rattled the Ayr post from 12 yards. In the dying moments United were unbearably awarded another free kick inches from the box, but could not capitalise from the opportunity. Then McMullan was fouled and his cross found Harkes who headed just over. Ayr's skipper Docherty almost made it three but Siegrist saved well and then the Ayr man knocked the rebound wide of target.

Summing Up - in what was a hard fought encounter with plenty chances United showed glimpses but in the end went down to their first defeat of season. Goals change games and had Shankland's header found the net it could have been so different.

Man of the match - Louis Appéré threatened for United all afternoon and was unlucky not to have seen his efforts rewarded.

Teams:

United: Siegrist, L Smith, Reynolds, McMullan, Pawlett (Clark 70), Stanton (C Smith 80), Robson, Butcher, Brown Harkes 65), Shankland, Appéré

Subs: Mehmet, Sporle, King, Watson 

Ayr: Doohan, Muirhead, Harvie, Kerr, Roscoe, Geggan, Moffat, Forrest, McGowan (Houston 84), Docherty, Kelly

Subs: Hare-Reid, Doolan, Ecrepont, McKenzie

Referee: Bobby Madden

Attendance: 3167