Pars put blocks on the Ayr force
United frustrated during game of few chances
Paddy Reading insists Championship rivals are going all out to stop Ayr playing football.
The full back admits United were frustrated for long spells as they played out a goalless stalemate with unbeaten Dunfermline.
And Reading, signed from Middlesbrough in the summer, believes it may be part of a tactic from opposition sides.
He said: “We saw it last week at Morton where they had a gameplan to stop us playing and we managed to cope well with it until late on.
“It was the same here but we still felt there were chances for us to go and win it.”
Reading, now with the under 21s for a huge double header against Croatia and Greece, admits he’s loving life at Somerset since moving north on a two year deal.
He said: “It’s a good standard compared to what I’m used to.
“Things are a lot quicker and more physical than what I’d experienced before.
“But I knew what to expect coming into it as I’ve watched a lot of Scottish football and I’m really enjoying it so far.”
Ayr were far more solid here following the late debacle at Cappielow which saw them lose three goals in five minutes.
Jordan Houston returned in place of the suspended Aaron Muirhead at right back as United showed only one change.
But a scrappy opening would set the tone for 90 minutes in which chances were at a premium.
The Pars, who came into the game sitting top of the league, enjoyed the better sights of goal and always looked the likelier going forward.
But in truth, both sides never looked like troubling the scorers with both goalkeepers rarely called into making a meaningful save.
Michael Moffat, still searching for his 100th goal in United colours, enjoyed the best chance of a dull first half for the hosts.
He met Luke McCowan’s cross from the right after good work by the winger saw him hit the byline, but the close range effort was saved by Owain Fon Williams.
At the other end, Dunfermline had loud appeals for a penalty turned down when former Kilmarnock winger Dom Thomas burst towards the box.
He tumbled under the challenge of Joe Chalmers but ref Craig Napier awarded a free kick, much to the fury of the visitors.
From the resultant award, Thomas scooped the set piece high over the bar.
Kerr McInroy sent an effort straight at Viljami Sinisalo as the Pars looked to start the second half on the front foot.
But neither side could get into a rhythm and Ayr’s efforts were summed up when Cammy Smith played in McCowan, only for the Pars defence to smother his shot.
United sub Dario Zanatta probably had their clearest sight of goal late on but dragged his effort wide, before Pars sub Iain Wilson sent a tame effort at Sinisalo in stoppage time as the game petered out.
Ayr boss Mark Kerr said: “The two teams cancelled each other out.
“We want to be on the front foot and imposing ourselves on the game so I was disappointed from that point of view.
“The opportunities were there for us to use the wide areas and create more, and that was frustrating.”
Pars boss Stevie Crawford said: ““We never looked like we were panicking in the game and looked assured.
“We were happy to limit Ayr to just a couple of chances.
“Somerset is a tough place to come so I have to be happy with a point.”
Pars winger Thomas added: “I thought it was a penalty.
“There was a mark on the ground where I felt Joe’s studs were and I thought I was in the box.”