Ayr United 2-0 Peterhead

Oct 5 2008 Ben Hay At Somerset Park

AYR boss Brian Reid heaped praise on his players after they buried their Peterhead hoodoo in style.

United hadn't beaten the Blue Toon in eight attempts but ended that dismal record thanks to Ryan Stevenson's penalty and a late strike from Alex Williams.

The win sent the Honest Men above Peterhead into second place and Reid claimed it was the perfect way to bounce back from last week's 3-0 defeat at East Fife.

He said: "That's the best we have played over a whole game this season.

"We were always comfortable and never looked in danger of losing. It was the perfect reaction after going down to East Fife.

"Peterhead took 12 points off us last season and we hadn't beaten them for a long time. So it was important to put that record to bed."

David Gormley dazzled up front for Ayr on his first start and Reid was thrilled with him. He said: "I am delighted for David who is still only young. He was superb while it was nice to see Alex come off the bench and score with a great finish.

"We have played everyone in the league so now it is time to kick on. But there are no easy games and we won't get carried away."

The first half matched the dismal weather but former Motherwell kid Gormley looked lively.

The 20-year-old showed quick feet to find space early on but his shot was blocked.

Peterhead began to threaten and almost went ahead in 25 minutes. Danny Moore picked out skipper Martin Bavidge whose fierce shot was superbly parried by Stephen Grindlay.

Graeme Sharp whipped over the corner and Ayr striker Bryan Prunty was relieved to see his sliced clearance come off the post instead of nestling in the net.

Peterhead boss Neale Cooper was forced into a change three minutes later when Martin Skinner took a knock and was replaced by veteran Bobby Mann.

Reid's troops tried to take advantage of the reshuffled defence but nobody was on hand to convert when keeper Michal Kula spilled a cross.

However, Ayr edged in front two minutes before the break when David Donald brought down Stevenson just inside the box.

Bavidge was booked for dissent before Stevenson slammed home the spot-kick.

The dreadful conditions eased up in the second half as Ayr went in search of a killer second.

Prunty and Gormley both had good efforts before Peterhead broke up the park and came close to a leveller.

Stuart McKay went for goal but saw his effort tipped over by Grindlay.

Mann's comeback after three weeks out with a hip injury ended in 73 minutes when the sub hobbled off to be replaced by David Ross.

Ayr should have sealed it two minutes later when Prunty chested down a cross for Ryan Borris.

The midfielder let rip from point-blank range but his shot was saved by Kula.

Williams came on for the hardworking Gormley with three minutes left and took just 60 seconds to grab the killer second.

Willie Easton broke clear down the left and fired over a perfect cross for the sub to drill home.

Ayr could have added a third right at the death but Kula made a superb save to deny Dean Keenan.

Peterhead boss Cooper admitted: "Ayr deserved to win and too many of our players never performed.

"Weneed to do better and I won't mess around.

"We need leadership and can't expect it just from big BobbyMann all the time.

"I hope it is just a blip because we are better than that. But if the players can't handle the pressure then I'll find people who can.

"You need to have bottle to play on a stage like this but Ayr had more of that than us."