Ayr Utd 2-1 Queen's Park

Aug 31 2008 Ben Hay Reports

BRYAN Prunty's double took his tally to six in four games as Ayr hung on at the top of the table.

But the Somerset Park side had to sweat after Tony Quinn gave the Spiders hope with a second half header.

Deadly Prunty took only two minutes to strike, rising to head home a cross from Willie Easton.

Two minutes later Prunty had a fierce shot on the turn well saved by away keeper David Crawford.

But the former Airdrie hitman wasn't to be denied and grabbed his second goal in 26 minutes with another header, this time from an Allan Dempsie cross.

Queen's refused to lie down and Jim Brough wasn't far away with a header from a Barry Douglas corner.

The Hampden men were back in the match five minutes after the break when Quinn nodded home after a Douglas corner was flicked on.

Ayr boss Brian Reid was sent to the stand after appearing to push away Quinn, who had slid into the home dugout.

Ryan Stevenson and sub David Gormley went close to easing the nerves as Ayr went all out for a killer third.

But plucky Queens fought to the end and Ayr keeper Stephen Grindlay made a great diving save to deny sub David Murray who had darted through the middle.