McCall’s men ‘gutted’ after late slip
AYR UNITED manager Ian McCall said his players were ‘gutted’ after a late goal cost them their first three points of the Championship season.
An 89th-minute Tom Walsh equaliser cancelled out Jamie Adams’ opener for McCall’s men but he was happy with his side’s improvement.
He said: ‘The key for us is the first half when really we should be three up. Then we just switched off from a long throw and the players are absolutely gutted.
‘But it was a lot better. Some of them are coming to terms with it now and I thought there were a few really good performances.’
Ayr started brightly and broke the deadlock after 14 minutes. Brian Gilmour whipped in a brilliant free-kick from the left for Adams to connect with it at the far post and nod the home side in front.
Despite Ayr’s dominance, St Mirren should have been level after 25 minutes but Ryan Hardie overhit his cross to an unmarked John Sutton in the box, after the Rangers loanee had done well to win the ball inside the Ayr half.
McCall’s men were well on top and should have doubled their advantage 10 minutes from the break but Gary Harkins failed to connect with the ball from six yards out.
St Mirren were much improved in the second half and almost drew level on 65 minutes. Substitute Walsh did well down the left wing to dig out a cross but David Clarkson headed his effort just wide.
The visitors stole a point right at the death when Ayr’s defence failed to deal with a long throw from Lawrence Shankland, which bounced its way to Walsh in the box, who was able to head home a late equaliser.
St Mirren boss Alex Rae said: ‘Overall, we need to do better but I’m pleased we got the point because it’s something to build on.’