Late winner leaves Fifers boss ruing missed chance

EAST FIFE 2 AYR UNITED 3

East Fife may have taken plenty of plaudits despite defeat to Ayr, but boss Darren Young says there’s still plenty of room for improvement.

The Methil side went toe to toe with the League One leaders and looked on course for all three points at 2-1 up until two late strikes from the visitors turned the game on its head.

There was no denying that the Fifers put absolutely everything they had into the game, but Bayview gaffer Young still reckoned they should have been able to see out the 90 minutes.

He said: “We have ourselves to blame. We can feel sorry for ourselves but have to look at our decisions during the game and our game management.

“At 2-1 up you don’t need to be playing the ball back to the goalkeeper.

“But again we’ve shot ourselves in the foot.

“Overall I don’t want to be too harsh because the play and the passing were good.

“The cutting edge was there but we had a few wee chances to put the game out of sight but didn’t do it.”

Ayr started well and sounded a warning in the opening minute when Alan Forrest’s shot at goal was blocked.

But it was a warning the home side didn’t heed as moments later Forrest made sure he wouldn’t be denied a second time when he latched on to Michael Rose’s through ball, rounded Ben MacKenzie and netted.

The home side reacted well to going behind and on 22 minutes Chris Duggan equalised with a drive from 20 yards.

Duggan had another long distance shot at goal which this time the Ayr defence scrambled clear.

It was honours even at the break but it was the home side who started the second 45 brighter and they took a deserved lead when Aaron Dunsmore’s ball over the top picked out Duggan who coolly lobbed Jack Ruddy.

Ayr boss Ian McCall introduced Craig McGuffie and with 72 minutes gone his near post corner was met by Steven Bell to level the scores.

With just a couple of minutes to go the visitors were again awarded a corner.

As the ball was swinging into the box and heading for Bell again, he was hauled to the ground by Craig Watson.

Referee David Lowe awarded a penalty which Craig Moore sent beyond McKenzie to seal the win.