Ayr’s 26-pass goal secures ‘ugly’ victory over Pars

Ayr United opened up a six-point gap on Dunfermline in the chase for a top-four place with a 1-0 win over the Pars at East End Park.

The Honest Men took the lead against the run of play on 38 minutes when they put together an unbroken sequence of 26 passes which ended when Craig Moore, pictured, stuck out a foot to divert an Alan Forrest shot past Ryan Scully.

Dunfermline failed to put any serious pressure on the visitors’ goal as they searched for an equaliser and the East End Park crowd booed their team off at the final whistle.

Ayr player-manager Mark Kerr said: “We needed to battle and fight to win. Apart from the goal it was an ugly win.”

Arbroath were brought back down to earth after their fine win at Inverness Caledonian Thistle last weekend when Morton enjoyed a 2-1 success at Gayfield.

John Sutton headed in the Greenock’s side’s opener and Luca Colville added a second from close range on 20 minutes.

Scott Stewart quickly pulled a goal back and the Red Lichties were denied a late leveller when Danny Rogers produced a stunning stop from a Jason Thomson header.

Bottom side Alloa were denied the chance to pull to within a point of Partick Thistle when the Jags were given a second spotkick that allowed them to secure a 1-1 draw at the Indodrill Stadium.

Adam Brown fired the Wasps ahead on 62 minutes with a shot that was deflected past Scott Fox, with Thistle given the chance to equalise from the penalty spot after Robbie Deas handled nine minutes later. Stuart Bannigan’s effort was saved by Jamie Macdonald, however three minutes later Bannigan netted from 12 yards after Blair Malcolm was judged to have fouled Joe Cardle.