Keeps an eye on reality
Andrew Shinnie sent a long ball towards Martin Boyle and he got to it a split-second before Ayr leftback Daryll Meggatt, who clipped the heels of the Hibs man just as he crossed the line of the penalty box.
It was unfortunate, but a penalty nonetheless. Jason Cumming hit his spot-kick down the middle when Fleming dived to his right.
A great interchange between Grant Holt and Shinnie almost led to a terrific third, only for Fleming to get both hands to the latter’s shot.
So it was all Hibs until the 31st minute, when Ayr scored a quite superb goal. Craig McGuffie beat two Hibs players near the corner before getting into position for shot. When that didn’t come off, possession was lost then regained, and this time McGuffie sent the ball dead into the top-left corner from 25 yards.
It was a lifeline. It didn’t last for long.
The game had been only a minute older when Ayr defender Scott McKenna thumped into the back of Holt, who really felt the challenge. Referee Nick Walsh saw no reasons to hand out a booking then, but was not so lenient just before the break when the same player showed recklessness in a tackle on McGinn. A red card was shown and the visitors could have had no complaints about the decision.
Hibs knew another goal would do it and they began the second half in relentless manner. Three times they came close to scoring in the opening moments and three times they were denied by superb defending from Meggatt.
Fleming pulled off a smart save on 63 minutes when the ball hit off Meggatt at some force and only fine goalkeeping prevented an own goal.
It was a strange affair. The second half was all Hibs but the home side were lacking in vision when it came to the final pass and composure in front of goal. Ayr also deserved credit for keeping going and tackling everything that moved.
The third goal came with 11 minutes to go. Gray’s cross from the right was powerfully headed in by substitute James Keatings. It might just have been his first touch.
Ayr manager Iain McCall praised his team’s effort and tipped the goalscorer for greater things. “Craig is going to be a player. There is no doubt about that. It was a great finish.”