Ayr take advantage of Raith stumble to clinch victory in thrilling title race
The neck- and- neck title race between A yr United and Raith Rovers finished with the Honest Men in the winners’ enclosure after another twist in the tale, writes Craig Stewart.
Ayr had lost a five- point lead in their preceding two games and Raith hosted Alloa knowing that a win would see them secure a return to the Championship a year after dropping out during the disastrous reign of John Hughes.
However, the Kirkcaldy men were held to a goalless draw and Ayr secured their step- up with a 2- 0 home success over Albion Rovers.
Ayr’s Craig Moore, who was crestfallen after missing a penalty at Alloa last Sunday, edged his side ahead from an inch out 11 minutes from the break when he kneed a Jamie Adams header over the line.
De clan M cD aid turned in a Michael Moffat cross f our minutes from time to have excitement reaching fever pitch but celebrations were held up until confirmation was received of the Raith result.
Joy was unleashed when a blank score-line in Fife was confirmed and the helicopter booked by the SPFL headed west and not east.
Manager Ian Mccall said: “I believe that we have been the best team in the League. It took awhile and a few twists and turns to confirm it but we go there.
“We have suffered runs where four or five players have been out with injuries for long periods so it has been a real squad effort.”
The result also proved to be decisive for the Coat bridge side who dropped into bottom spot and were relegated.
At Stark’s Park, Alloa’s Jordan Kirkpatrick hit a post in the first half but Raith recovered from that scare to dominate. A header from Jason Thomson that kissed the bar with 20 minutes left was the closest they came to finding a way past Neil Parry.
The point saw the Wasps cl inch third place and sides will now face each other twice in a play-off semi-final. Arbroath will meet Dumbarton in the other semi and the Gayfield men will need to up their game after a 3- 0 defeat from Queen’s Park at Hampden. Robbie Leitch scored in 47 seconds and Luke Donnel- ly added a second-half doub let ogive the Spiders a second chance for survival starting against St en house muir tomorrow.
Stranraer ended their season with a 3- 2 win at East Fife where Scott Agnew’ s freekick separated the side sat half- time and a brace of headers from Grant Anderson had the Blues cruising before Craig Watson and Jon at an Page pulled goals back.
Forfar also ended on a high on their travels with a 2- 1 success at Airdrie, where Mark Mill ar’ s late free-kick was decisive after Greg Hurst had opened the scoring for the Loons and the Diamonds, who had Kieran Macdonald dis - missed with an hour played, level led through Ryan Conroy’s penalty.