McGinn hits sizzler for leaders Hibs
HIBS grabbed the win that keeps them in pole spot thanks to a Martin Boyle double and a stunning free-kick from John McGinn.
Boyle struck in both halves but Ofir Marciano quelled Ayr’s hopes of a fightback with a magnificent save from a Jamie Adams header.
It was left to Wembley- bound McGinn to put the icing on the cherry with a sizzling 35-yarder.
Dundee United kept up their pressure on Hibs at the top of the table, with what manager Ray McKinnon described as “a good allround performance.”
In 14 minutes, Mark Durnan headed United’s opener and Tony Andreu doubled the advantage when he headed home a cross from Paul Dixon.
Queens’ Grant Anderson headed in to pull one back just on the break but Scott Fraser made it 3- 1 in 57 minutes with a volley from 25 yards.
In 77 minutes, Simon Murray made it 4- 1 when he ran on to a through ball and slipped it past the advancing keeper.
The first league meeting between Fife’s principal footballing rivals at East End Park in almost four years turned out to be a fiery, highly competitive encounter, which ended in a goalless stalemate.
This result keeps Raith Rovers firmly in contention for a play- off spot but Dunfermline are deep in trouble as they slip to second bottom in the table.
Morton missed out on the chance to snatch three points from promotion rivals Falkirk as a Lee Miller injury- time header clawed back a point for the Bairns in a physical battle.
The Ton looked like winning the game after Lee Kilday deflected a Ross Forbes free- kick past Danny Rogers with three minutes remaining.
St Mirren’s woes continued as they lost 1-0 to visiting Dumbarton.
The crucial moment occured just past the hour mark when goalkeeper Jamie Langfield’s slack pass from his own goalmouth was intercepted by Joe Thomson and his pouncing instinct led to him feeding Garry Fleming, who kept up his healthy scoring record against Saints to easily tap home what proved to be the only goal of the game.