William Hill Scottish Cup
Third Round Replay
Tuesday 22nd November 2011
Montrose 1 Ayr United 2

A SPIRITED Montrose performance was not enough to overcome First Division Ayr United in an entertaining William Hill Scottish Cup Third Round replay.

Despite having the better of the first half, Montrose were a goal down at the break, Michael McGowan playing Alan Trouten into the box, the winger rounding Michael Andrews and shooting into the net.

The same player doubled Ayr’s advantage in the 73rd minute, latching onto a short passback and flicking the ball over the home goalkeeper.

Montrose’s hopes of a late fightback were ignited nine minutes from time when Jamie Winter lashed home a shot from 25 yards following a short free kick from Stephen McNally, but it proved to be too little too late.

Montrose had looked a match for their full-time visitors in the first half, creating the bulk of the chances. Terry Masson came close early on, having a shot held by Kevin Cuthbert. Cuthbert was called into action by the same player six minutes later, blocking a shot after Masson had beaten John Robertson.

Ayr’s closest chance in the opening quarter of the match saw Michael Moffat lash a low shot wide of target. Martin Boyle also came close for Montrose, having a shot tipped wide after good footwork on the edge of the box.

Eddie Malone put his own goalkeeper under pressure in the 23rd minute, Cuthbert forced to hack the ball out for a throw in following a short passback.

Boyle could have put Montrose ahead midway through the first half, narrowly missing Sean Pierce’s cross after the winger had cut inside.

With Montrose reeling from Ayr’s opening goal, the visitors could have extended their lead three minutes later, Andrews saving with his feet to deny a certain goal. The pressure continued, Jonathan Tiffoney having a shot held.

Boyle continued to look like Montrose’s likeliest goal scorer in the first half, heading wide from a Cameron cross. Jonathan Smart also headed wide of target from a Pierce corner.

Ayr looked to end the first half on a high, Mark Roberts and Michael Moffatt both shooting wide in the dying minutes. Ayr could also have hit Montrose on the counter with the final attack of the half. Boyle had a shot saved after being played in by Winter, and Moffat’s driving run carried the ball to the Montrose box. His through ball found Trouten, but the winger’s shot was held by Andrews.

Both sides had chances in the second half, Trouten having a shot held in the 52nd minute and Boyle heading wide from a Pierce cross. Stephen McNally also came close, sending a low shot wide of target from inside the box.

Haven taken the lead, Ayr were given a let-off two minutes later when a Martin Boyle goal was disallowed for handball in the build-up, the young striker having taken the ball around Cuthbert before shooting into the empty net.

Winter gave notice of his danger from long range in the 76th minute, having a 25-yard shot palmed down by Cuthbert and held at the second attempt.

As the match wound to its conclusion, Montrose sent bodies forward in search of an equaliser. Smart could have been the hero two minutes into stoppage time, but shanked a volley wide of target from David Dimilta’s cross.

Match Report by Mark Rae