SHANKLAND INSPIRES AYR FIGHTBACK

LAWRENCE SHANKLAND was the hero as Ayr United staged a remarkable comeback win over Falkirk.

Ray McKinnon’s first league game as Bairns boss was going well as they led 2-0 at half-time thanks to goals from Zak Rudden and Deimantas Petravicius but were torn apart in the second half by an intense United fightback as Shankland, Andy Geggan and an own goal sealed victory.

Ayr boss Ian McCall said: ‘It’s a great three points. Particularly the manner of it. You see all sorts of mad stuff at Somerset Park.’

Falkirk dominated early on and within 18 minutes were in front as Petravicius set up Rudden — on loan from Rangers — for a tap in.

Less than 10 minutes later, the Lithuanian had a goal for himself when he powered a shot past Ross Doohan.

However, within four minutes of the restart Ayr were back in the game.

Prolific striker Shankland fought his way through Falkirk’s defence and fired a tricky shot through the hands of Leo Fasan.

The home side continued to pile pressure on the Bairns and they were level in 63 minutes when Geggan struck a sweet volley high into the roof of the net.

But United weren’t done there and two minutes later they got the winner as Jamie Adams flicked the ball into the six-yard box and Shankland pounced.

The striker’s shot came off Fasan on its way over the line to go down as an own goal for the hapless keeper.

McKinnon said: ‘The first half was very positive away from home.

‘However, the players simply didn’t follow my instructions at half-time.’