Morton 0-1 Ayr

Jul 13 2008 Kenny Macdonald At Cappielow

FORMER Morton star Alex Williams returned to torment his old club with the winner - then heaped praise on the home fans who CHEERED him. The striker crashed in the only goal after 58 minutes as Brian Reid's battlers stunned their higher division rivals.

And although Williams was targeted by some boo boys among the Ton support he hailed the supporters who showed class.

He said: "I got a bit of stick from a couple of idiots.

"But then I got a nice wee ovation fromthe guys who supported the team week in week out and that was great. They're the real fans.

"It's always good to score against your old club and although I got a bit of stick in the main the supporters were brilliant to me."

Ayr gaffer Reid insists his side have now set a standard for their Second Division promotion bid with the victory.

Reid, still looking to strengthen his squad, said: "That's the first game for a lot of our boys and their fitness was a credit to them against a full-time club.

"We played some decent stuff and were never outfought - it's important we continue that way. We've got a few trialists but I haven't made any decisions yet.

"We're still short of a couple and really need a striker. It's always good for the confidence to win and keep a clean sheet."

Ayr enjoyed the bulk of early possession and Williams carved out the first chance in 12 minutes, turning inside two defenders before drilling a shot straight at keeper Colin Stewart.

Ryan Stevenson then came close with a rasping free-kick from 25 yards that flew just over.

Morton finally threatened in 36 minutes when winger Jim McAlister skipped past a challenge at the far corner of the box and blazed a shot inches past.

Ton hitman John Newby missed a glaring chance to break the deadlock five minutes into the second half.

He raced clear and rounded keeper Stephen Grindlay only to see his effort from a tight angle knocked behind by Martyn Campbell.

Then Chris Smith came agonisingly close with a point-blank header that brought a superb save from Grindlay.

However, United hit back and Chris Aitken caused panic with a clever free-kick on the right, swerving it low round the wall to test Stewart at his near post.

Ayr's pressure paid off when Williams grabbed the opener just before the hour.

He raced on to Stevenson's head flick before squeezing a shot under Stewart from 10 yards.

The duo linked again as Stevenson tried his luck from 15 yards following a good cutback by Williams but Stewart parried brilliantly. The away side were pushing hard for a killer second but Aitken blazed high and wide from close range then sub David Gormley angled a strike just past.

And with 10 minutes left Ton blew a great chance to level when Stevie Masterton's corner dropped to sub Iain Russell who scooped his first-time shot over.

There were more chances for both sides in the dying stages.

First Ayr's Gormley saw his near-post shot superbly blocked by the legs of Stewart.

And moments later Morton sub Peter Weatherson shaved the left post with a 25-yard free-kick.

Scott Walker was the hero for Ayr in the final minute, heading Chris Smith's header off the line.

Morton boss Davie Irons said: "I never get carried away with friendly results - they're just about fitness and settling innew players."

team sheet

MORTON: Stewart, Trialist, Trialist, McManus, Masterton, Paartalu, Finlayson, McGuffie, Wake, Newby, McAlister. Subs: Weatherson, Russell, Trialist, Kerrigan, Mitchell, Graham, Trialist.

AYR: Grindlay, Dempsie, Easton, Walker, Campbell, Stevenson, Borris, Aitken, Prunty, Williams, Keenan. Subs: McGowan, Weaver, Kinnaird, Woodburn, Murphy (Trialist), Gormley (Trialist), Thomson (Trialist). REFEREE: Alan Muir.