McCall’s men rout title rivals Raith again to claw back gap

Mike Wilson

to some hard places. But the good thing is that away from home has been no problem for us. Now we’re doing it at home, with three 3- 0 wins in a row.

“I’m pleased with our centre- backs who were absolutely magnificent.”

Ayr went for the throat from kick- off and Declan McDaid swerved a shot just wide with seconds gone.

But the league leaders were almost gifted a goal when Paddy Boyle was short with a passback, only for keeper Jack Ruddy to charge from his line and foil Willis Furtado.

Tempers flared when Ross Matthews claimed he was stamped on by Shankland but ref Gavin Ross took no action despite the protests.

Ayr’s pressure paid off in 34 minutes when a McDaid free-kick was headed home by Shankland for his 24th goal of the season.

The home team were rampant and doubled their lead two minutes before the break. Jason Thomson messed up a header and the ball fell to Adams who volleyed in from 10 yards.

Raith’s day went from bad to worse eight minutes into the second-half as they failed to defend a McDaid corner and Moffat hooked home a shot on the turn.

Raith offered nothing and Aaron Lennox spared their blushes by saving an Andy Geggan header.

Raith boss Barry Smith said: “We lost two goals from set pieces and didn’t defend properly.

“I’ll expect a response at Forfar on Tuesday night.”