FLUKING UP FOR BAIRNS
CHAMPIONSHIP LIVE FALKIRK ......... 2 AYR UNITED ......... 0 McGhee is the born leader for boss Ray
JORDAN McGHEE produced the sublime and the ridiculous as Falkirk’s captain fantastic dragged the Bairns a step closer to safety.
The 22-year-old broke the deadlock in bizarre fashion when his skewed cross evaded everyone and looped over Ayr United keeper Ross Doohan to nestle in the net.
But there was nothing flukey about his second as he unleashed a ferocious drive into the top corner for his first career brace.
McGhee’s heroics, allied with a superb display from loanee keeper Harry Burgoyne, lifted the Bairns, still unbeaten in 2019, three points clear of the drop zone.
As the Bairns dare to tentatively look up the table, Ayr’s malaise is alarming. They have won just two of their last 13 games to see their title charge evaporate and, barring an upturn in form, could soon see their play-off berth in jeopardy.
It was the visitors who burst from the traps, creating a giltedged opportunity to break the deadlock with just three minutes on the clock.
Robbie Crawford surged into the box and provided a perfect cut-back for Lawrence Shankland, only for the usually merciless marksman to blast over the bar.
Attempting to add to his tremendous tally of 31 goals for the campaign to date, Shankland then skewed a hopeful drive from distance well wide.
Falkirk’s aim was also off during the opening exchanges as Ciaran McKenna nodded an inviting Ian McShane corner kick over the bar after being left inexplicably unmarked by the United defence.
Midway through the first period Ayr winger Calvin Miller jinked in from the right flank and hit a shot which forced a save from Burgoyne.
While Falkirk’s No.1 excelled at one end, Ayr stopper Doohan was left red faced as the Bairns struck.
The Celtic loanee woefully misjudged a sliced cross from McGhee and allowed the ball to drift over his head and nestle in the corner of the net.
If McGhee’s first goal was fortunate, his second was fabulous. He met a Tommy Robson delivery on the edge of the box and blasted a magnificent drive beyond Doohan, who got a hand to the effort but could not keep it out.
Andy Murdoch was off target before Miller forced a save from Burgoyne as Ayr tried to hit back.
After the break they found the keeper in unbeatable form. On the sole occasion the Falkirk rearguard was breached, the flag of the assistant referee Euan Birch came to the rescue, disallowing a clinical late volley by Shankland. RAY McKINNON has hailed Jordan McGhee as a born leader after the Falkirk captain sunk Ayr.
The 22-year-old bagged the first brace of his career against the Honest Men last night, following up a fortuitous opener with a screamer from distance.
McKinnon is adamant McGhee is relishing the added responsibility since assuming the armband from the departed Aaron Muirhead, who was in the Ayr side last night, as well as becoming a potent attacking threat.
He said: “Jordan’s been fantastic and has popped up with a couple of big goals lately. We have been encouraging Jordan to get forward on the right side after going to a back four.
“He has great energy and was brilliant. His two goals – that’s what captains do.
“I promise you, Jordan is a proper captain. The way he plays, the way he trains, the way he leads. It is excellent and we are delighted to have him.
“His second goal was great, getting himself forward, taking a great touch and the finish is fantastic.”
While his second strike was a perfect effort in front of the TV cameras, his first was a flukey cross-cum-shot that drifted into the net.
McKinnon joked: “I’m saying he meant it ... never mind his second, the first one was a screamer too!”
Ayr boss Ian McCall admits spirits are low at Somerset Park following a fourth match without a win.
He added: “That is three we have lost in a row and in the last two years we have barely ever lost two in a row.
“The key for us is we’ve a lot of young players and their confidence is down.”
ALAN MARSHALL AT FALKIRK STADIUM