Another three points but Ayr United's SPL dream is dead

AYR UNITED 2 - RAITH ROVERS 0. SO it is final, Ayr United will not in this or any other stadium take their place in the Premiere League, even if they manage to overhaul Livingston's two point advantage with a game in-hand.

United chairman, Bill Barr, made a rare appearance on television on Friday night, at pains to highlight that there was nothing untoward involved in his dealings in Airdrie's stadium.

It cleared up the confusion, but, regardless of this news, promotion must be suspended for at least another season.

Forgetting such hardship for 90 minutes, they feasted on their sides 13th league game without defeat.

This one was anything than a two horse race as goals from James Grady and Eddie Annand secured a deserved win.

Bad news can, more often than not, affect a person's performance in the workplace but Ayr's players appeared far from distracted as they set about their Kirkcaldy visitors with serious intent.

Not a solitary chance of note had been fashioned when the hosts found themselves leading in the 11th minute.

Neil Scally dispatched a drive from the edge of the box that would have been stopped by Samuel Monin had it not deflected past the helpless French keeper via striker James Grady's knee.

It was an unfortunate beginning for a Raith side that has climbed out of the relegation mire with two solid performances in the last week against Livingston and Falkirk.

Despite a game in hand, two points ahead of rivals Alloa is not a considerable enough advantage to encourage relaxation in defence at this stage of the season - a factor prominent in Ayr's taking the lead.

The visitors' first attack arrived only minutes later by virtue of a Paul Tosh snapshot volley which was well held by Craig Nelson.

It would be Peter Hetherston's side's only shot on target in the opening half, which is surely of grave concern to him.

However, there was salvation in the form of an uninspiring home performance as well.

John Bradford had a reasonable shot well-saved midway through the half. And Annand almost added a second shortly before the break had Monin not smuggled the ball after a 50/50 sprint for possession.

The lack of entertainment on view was highlighted when the loudest cheer of the half arrived after Lee Sharp's mis-directed throw-in bounced off referee David Somers's head, to much chuckling and derision on the terracing.

A welcome break managed to revitalise a flagging home performance as they returned to the affray much improved.

Annand looked particularly keen to impress involving himself in three penetrating attacks within the opening five minutes, his best contribution a powerful header that was well saved.

A major controversy arrived in the 54th minute when Rovers' towering Andy Smith appeared to be obstructed when racing for the ball with opposition keeper Nelson.

With most expecting a penalty kick Smith, looking visibly confused, was yellow-carded for diving.

Shortly after the referee had words with an irate Peter Heth- erston on the touchline.

He later commented: "Even the Ayr boys are saying it is a stonewall penalty, so how the referee can't give it I don't know.

"But those decisions go against you when you are not at the right end of the table."

Jay Stein had a rare opportunity to soothe his manager's temper just after the hour but he shot directly at Nelson.

Lee Sharp, United's durable right-back, has been a consistently notable performer in his side's 13 consecutive league games without defeat and again yesterday he was immense.

He bamboozled his markers down the right wing with twists and turns as well as nutmegs.

And, eight minutes from time, he surged forwards drawing two defenders before unleashing a drive which skimmed the left hand post.

He remained determined to secure all three points in the 85th minute and was instrumental in doing so with a great run and floated cross which Annand powered effortlessly past a helpless Monin.

The assessment by Ayr's supporters was another good three points, another good clean sheet.

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