McCall draws on pluses as Ayr lose ground
AYR United’s push for promotion has taken a slight stumble as a third successive draw saw them lose ground on Championship leaders Ross County.
Ian McCall’s side have been the front-runners for the majority of the campaign but lost top spot last weekend and are now the side doing the chasing as they trail County by three points following a 1-1 draw at Palmerston.
Michael Moffat’s first-half header cancelled out Josh Todd’s opener but Ayr were unable to grab a winner. McCall, however, believes if they keep up this level of performance they will return to winning ways.
“I really enjoyed watching us, the passing, the movement and I felt we controlled the game,” he said. “We had four or five chances and should have put the game to bed but I’ve said to them our football was terrific.
“It might be a good point. We just need to go and win next week. We’ve still got to play Ross County twice and we’ve got a game in hand as well. If we can play like that next week we know we’ll score goals.”
Stephen Dobbie’s return following a three-game absence with a hamstring injury gave Queens a greater threat and his clever flick played in strike-partner Lyndon Dykes, but his finish was weak and was saved by Ross Doohan.
However, just before the halfhour mark, Queens did break the deadlock through Todd. Callum Semple played a long diagonal ball out from the back to Andy Stirling on the right flank and, once inside the penalty area, the wide-man played a perfect cut-back for Todd to stride onto and slam home.
Alan Martin denied Mike Rose an equaliser when the centre-half let fly with a crisp snap-shot from the edge of the penalty area but the Queens goalkeeper, at full stretch, turned it round the post.
From the resultant corner, however, Ayr drew level through Moffat. Declan McDaid’s ball in was flicked into the striker’s path and from close range Moffat nodded it home.
Dobbie almost restored Queens’ lead after the interval when he displayed quick feet on the edge of the penalty area to weave his way past a couple of challenges but didn’t get enough purchase on his shot and Doohan was able to save.
Crawford then threatened for Ayr with a chance he created himself as he darted in from the left flank and evaded a couple of defenders to make space inside the penalty area – but his dragged shot drifted wide.
Queen of the South almost won it right at the death when substitute Connor Murray curled a free-kick inches wide with Doohan rooted to the spot.
Queens manager Gary Naysmith was delighted with his side’s display, saying: “It was a well-earned point and I’ve nothing but praise for the players. We’ve got players who want to be here, that’s the most important thing. The group that we’ve got left want to be here and they gave their lot for the club.”