Honest Men close gap with five- star show
NICK McALLISTER’S first goal of the season sent Ayr United on their way to a resounding victory over Cove Rangers at Balmoral as the Honest Men cut the gap with cinch Championship leaders Queen’s Park to two points.
The full- back pounced on a firsthalf error from Cove defender Kyle McClelland to nudge his side ahead and their hosts struggled to break down their well- organised opponents before Lee Bullen’s men pulled away after the break.
The result means that Paul Hartley, who previously guided the north- east club to two promotions, is still awaiting his first win since returning to Cove this month following a disastrous stint at Hartlepool United.
Ayr started the match in promising fashion as they looked to seize the initiative. Jayden MitchellLawson, who was lively throughout, looked like his team’s most likely route to goal and was causing problems for the home defence but the breakthrough would come via an error from McClelland.
Cove simply did not deal with a Joshua Mullin free- kick into the box as the ball bounced off of the stationary McClelland and fell invitingly to McAllister to prod the ball home.
Cove started the second half strongly but were left with a mountain to climb on 52 minutes after a well- worked counter- attack from Ayr was swept home in emphatic fashion.
Mullin was the provider, crossing for Ben Dempsey to sweep the ball home in style, before the winger got on the scoresheet himself with halfanhour left to play with a composed finish.
Substitute Fraser Bryden lashed in a fourth with 10 minutes to go with a well- struck effort from the edge of the box before Mullin made it 5- 0 with a terrific free- kick a few minutes from time.
The two sides will meet again at Balmoral on Tuesday in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup, where the winner will host Elgin City in the last 16.