On the mark as Red Lichties ease past Elgin

In the final minute of the half, it might have been 3-0 when a Charlie Telfer cross was met by Gregor Buchanan. Smith could only parry the effort into the path of Lee Kilday, but he sent his close-range effort off the bar.

The visitors began the second half with intent and came close four minutes after the re-start. Sebastian Ross played through sub Alan Cook, but his shot was well saved by an on-rushing Ryan Scully in the Ton goal.

At the other end, Kilday’s powerful header looked over the line when Smith clawed it clear but referee Colin Steven waved play on. Jamie Watson had an early opportunity for the home side, but Ross Doohan was well positioned to make the save. Ayr heeded the warning and look the lead inside 15 minutes when Lawrence Shankland knocked the ball back for Alan Forrest to open the scoring.

Shankland tried his luck himself shortly afterwards, but his long-range effort did not trouble Gareth Hallford. Lewis Mclear was not far away from snatching an equaliser, his effort slipping just wide of the post five minutes from the break.

Ayr’s Shankland set up a chance for Mcdaid, but Hallford made a tremendous save to keep Albion in touch.

Forrest then curled a shot narrowly wide two minutes from the break as Ayr continued to press.

In the second half, Ronan Kearney produced a goal-line block to deny Forrest his second.

It was no surprise when Ayr sealed the deal when Steven Bell headed home from a corner with 10 minutes left. A late goal kept Cowdenbeath’s hopes alive of moving to the knockout stages of the Betfred Cup.

Cove threatened in the first minute when Connor Scully’s 20-yard free-kick hit the Cowdenbeath bar.

The Blue Brazil hit back and, in 11 minutes, Jordyn Sheerin set up Martin Scott and his 18-yard piledriver pulled out a stunning fingertip save from Cove keeper Stuart Mckenzie.

Five minutes from the interval, the home side’s Brad Smith’s 18-yarder saw Mckenzie pull off a fine fingertip save.

Cove went close in 48 minutes when Mitch Megginson’s 25-yarder went just over.

However, three minutes later, David Cox missed a golden chance for the hosts when Scott set him up only 12 yards out, but he blazed wildly over.

In 68 minutes, Cox beat two defenders and his left-foot drive was expertly blocked by Ross. Cowdenbeath snatched the winning goal five minutes from time when Sheerin’s shot was blocked, but the ball fell kindly for Cox, who netted from six yards out.