It’s time we all stepped up in front of goal and helped out
Bell: Ayr can’t keep relying on poacher Shankland
Lawrence Shankland cooled his heels in the stand but skipper Steven Bell was adamant Ayr’s first home defeat couldn’t be pinned on his absence.
The 28- goal striker could only look on as United missed a series of golden chances that he surely would have put away.
The best of the lot fell to Bell, who screwed a shot wide with the goal gaping as Ayr tried in vain to salvage a late point.
A 10- match unbeaten run is over and worryingly nine points have been dropped in the last four games.
Fans are fearing a mid- season wobble but leaders Ross County are only one win ahead and Ayr have a game in hand.
Bell was adamant it was rough justice that United finished empty handed but this was a performance that was miles short of previous high standard shows.
Bell admitted: “Myself and a couple of other boys had gilt- edged chances at the end but couldn’t put them away and it came back to haunt us.
“Overall, I thought we were the better team.
“I don’t think Falkirk offered much to the game in terms of penetrating the defence.
“In the first half we probably didn’t do enough on the ball then the goal came from a mistake by Ross ( Doohan) who has been outstanding all season.
“We all need to chip in with goals and can’t just keep relying on Lawrence.
“To say we lost because he wasn’t playing is unfair.
“It’s disappointing considering some of the other results have gone for us and it’s disappointing to lose our home record as well.”
Ayr thought they had taken the lead after 34 minutes when Michael Moffat’s shot struck the post and Craig Moore forced home the rebound. However, the goal was chalked off by the linesman’s raised flag.
Falkirk had five players making their debuts and one almost produced the breakthrough when Ian McShane hit the top of the bar with a dipping corner.
The game’s defining moment came 11 minutes after the interval when Ross MacLean’s shot was spilled by Doohan leaving an easy finish for on- loan Rangers youngster Zak Rudden.
You couldn’t help but feel for Doohan who has been a defensive rock with an impressive 16 clean sheets this season.
The Bairns goal led a charmed life near the end and had an amazing let off after Bell, who finished as an emergency striker, hacked the ball wide as Moore failed with the follow up.
Ayr No. 2 Neil Scally said afterwards: “It’s a tough one to take.
“Falkirk set out to frustrate us but for me they’ve not really troubled us in our half and we had a few opportunities especially at the end.”