Match Report - By John Hoey

Ayr United 1 Brechin City 3

Brechin City made it two away wins on the trot after a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Ayr United at Somerset Park.

City grabbed the lead after just 12 minutes when Gerry McGlauchlan headed home a Bobby Barr corner and it was 2-0 in the 33rd minute when Kyle McAusland diverted a Ryan Ferguson cross past his own goalkeeper.

Although the hosts reduced the deficit through Gordon Pope late on City made sure of the points when Graham Hay converted from the penalty-spot in the last minute.

City brought McGlauchlan back at the heart of the defence and also handed a debut to trialist Ryan Ferguson while Ayr fielded Michael Moffat who awaits the result of his appeal against a six-match suspension.


Ayr were first to threaten after just six minutes when Craig Malcolm picked up a defensive clearance 25 yards from goal and fired in a shot which was well wide of the target and a minute later a Scott McGlauchlin drive was easily saved by Graeme Smith.

However, the hosts were shocked after 12 minutes when City grabbed the lead.

The visitors won a corner on the right and Barr's inch-perfect cross was met by the unmarked McGlauchlan who steered his header into the top right-hand corner of the net.

Ayr piled on the pressure in response and McAusland hammered a close-range effort over the bar. The hosts came even closer after 22 minutes when they won a free-kick 25 yards from goal with McGlauchlin firing his shot just inches past the post.

City though looked dangerous whenever they moved forward and they sensationally doubled their lead in the 33rd minute.

Barr collected the ball in his own half and delivered a great cross-field pass to Ferguson who swiftly moved to the bye-line before crossing the ball into the Ayr box where it rebounded off the unfortunate McAusland past his stranded goalkeeper David Hutton.

Ayr tried to come back but the City defence were dealing easily with everything their opponents could throw at them although Smith did well five minutes before the break when he saved a close-range Martyn Campbell effort at the second attempt.

City began the second-half as they finished the first and they were unlucky not to go three goals up within a minute of the game re-starting when Barr played in Andy Jackson who took a couple of steps before unleashing a blistering drive which Hutton tipped around the post.

Ayr again hit back and a 20 yard shot from substitute Alan Forrest was superbly parried by Smith.

A good three-man move from City in the 57th minute in loving Barr, Ferguson and McLean ended with the latter's shot being saved at the far post by Hutton.

The Honest Men should have reduced the deficit in the 68th minute when a period of sustained pressure ended with Michael Donald crossing the ball into the box for the unmarked Malcolm who headed wide with the goal at his mercy and a couple of minutes later a Donald 30 yard shot was firmly held by Smith.

However, the home pressure paid off after 78 minutes when a thundering 15 yard drive from Gordon Pope sailed past Smith.

However, City withstood further Ayr pressure and wrapped up all three points right at the death when Graham Hay converted from the penalty-spot after substitute Derek Carcary had been brought down in the box by Alan Lithgow.

Other Results - Scottish League One

Arbroath 2 Stenhousemuir 1

Vital Home Win For Lichties

Dunfermline Athletic 0 Airdrieonians 1

Shock Win For Diamonds at East End Park