Moore the merrier as he seals title win
Striker’s happy to make amends
Craig Moore knew it was all about bouncing back from the lowest moment of his Ayr career.
Six days earlier, he had plunged into despair after missing a crucial penalty in a 2-1 defeat at Alloa which handed the title initiative to Raith.
Now he was sampling the highest after firing Ayr into the Championship with his 27th goal of a memorable season.
It was a campaign to test the most resolute of Honest Men. A staggering 124 goals scored but the stark reality they could finish empty handed if they missed the title and took their chance in the play-offs.
But thankfully, there was no end of season lottery after Moore and Declan McDaid scored the goals that condemned Raith to second place.
Moore steadied the ship with an early goal before McDaid had the final word with a trademark cool finish.
Moore revealed: “It was a relief when I scored because I owed it after missing the penalty last week.
“These things happen in football but it preyed on my mind the whole week. I had scored all these goals but they didn’t mean anything after I missed the penalty.
“I just wanted to make sure I got on the park and made amends for it as quickly as I could.”
Moore formed a 56-goal partnership with Lawrence Shankland as Ayr enjoyed a glorious season that began with a Betfred Cup win over derby rivals Kilmarnock.
But the striker insisted he always knew Ayr would finish top even although they were playing catchup in the final week.
He claimed: “Although we were in the position that we could have been going into the play-offs, everything in my head was saying that this was the last game of the season. I have had a fantastic season scoring so many goals and it’s great knowing that I chipped in to win the league.
“It’s my best ever goal tally and now I hope I can have another crack at the Championship after being injured most of the season when we were last there.
“We knew we just had to win the game and get over the line. It wasn’t pretty and it didn’t matter how we did it.
“Everybody wanted to be champions – going into the play-offs would have been downer as they’re a lottery.”
It was tense from the off with Michael Moffat having an early goal ruled offside before Moore forced home a Jamie Adams header that was netbound.
Rovers repelled a wave of Ayr attacks before being beaten again four minutes from time when McDaid knocked home a cross from Moffat. Ayr had an anxious wait for the final whistle from Stark’s Park before they could begin their celebrations.
Boss Ian McCall said: “I commiserate with Raith as it’s been a great fight but I don’t think anyone can argue that we were the best footballing side in the league.
“This is a great club with great potential but we’re just at the start of the journey to try and turn it into something that’s pretty special.
“We have all the makings of a Championship club. It’s a terrific day for Ayr United.
“This team are the highest scorers in Scotland by a considerable distance and the second highest in Ayr ’s history.”
McCall added: “I don’t want to make excuses but we’ve had five or six key players out all season for three to four months at a time. It says a lot for the spirit of the players that we got it done and I’m thrilled for them.”
Wright; Reid, McLaughlin, Perry, Baur, Holmes, MacLean, Davidson, Higgins (Vitoria 32), Watters (Scullion 62, McMullin. Subs: MacDonald, McLeish, Gallagher, Guthrie, Potts. Booked: McMullin, Holmes.
Barry Cook.
I don’t think anyone can argue that we were the best footballing side in the league