Morton 2-3 Ayr
Baird (47), McHugh (61); Moore (50), McCowan (55), McGuffie (78)
by Ewan Boyle
Morton’s unbeaten run at home in the 2019/20 season came to an end on Tuesday as Ayr United ran out as winners in the match at Cappielow after a 5-goal thriller.
It sees Morton slide down to 8th place in the Ladbrokes Championship but remain 5 points clear of bottom placed Partick Thistle.
Morton got off to a great start on 1 minute in as Reece Lyon made space for himself around 20 yards out and sent a low shot driving towards goal which just nipped by the post.
Reece Lyon had another ambitious attempt from range on 8 minutes when he launched a shot from around 25 yards out which just slid by the left post and went out for a goal kick.
The Ton had a well worked chance when a cross in from Robbie Muirhead on 21 minutes forced a stretched Cameron Salkeld to get contact on the ball but it was not enough and proved no danger for Ross Doohan.
Lewis Strapp done extremely well to earn the ball back on the left side of the box to send a pass across goal to Bob McHugh on 42 minutes who’s effort is blocked before any threat could be had.
Cameron Salkeld almost put Morton ahead on 44 minutes when he turned on the half volley and shot towards goal but Ross Doohan parried the ball over the bar for a corner as the Ton continued to hunt for a goal.
A stalemate at half time saw a goalless end to the first half with Morton being the ones who were proving the most amount of danger going into the second half.
But on 47 minutes, Morton finally broke the deadlock as a stramash in the Inverness box resulted in Bob McHugh hitting the post which was knocked out to Jack Baird who was able to find the net from close range to send the Ton ahead.
It was not long before Ayr United got their equaliser when Craig Moore remained cool in the opposition box and slotted the ball over Sam Ramsbottom for the goal on 50 minutes.
The Honest Men would be the ones to take the lead next in the game when Greenock-born Luke McCowan had a sensational effort fly into the top bag on 21 minutes from long range to put Ayr ahead.
But the game continued to be end-to-end from there as Morton got an equaliser shortly after McCowan’s goal when a mistake from Aaron Muirhead set up Bob McHugh with the chance to run alone through on goal on 61 minutes and slot the ball under Ayr goalkeeper Ross Doohan.
Another effort from distance for Reece Lyon proved a danger for goalkeeper Ross Doohan on 69 minutes when Lyon shot from just outside the box forcing Doohan to dive to make a save however it just sailed by the post.
However, to the disappointment of the Morton fans, it was Ayr who would seal the victory at Cappielow when a great save from Sam Ramsbottom was palmed out to Craig McGuffie who’s shot took a big deflection and sailed into the net on 78 minutes.
Morton now quickly turn their attentions to Dundee away from home on Saturday night as their tough three games in the space of a week comes to an end.
Morton (433)
1. Ramsbottom
3. Welsh 5. Grant 30. Baird 16. Strapp
8. McAlister (c) 6. Jacobs 17. Lyon
14. Salkeld 11. McHugh 9. Muirhead
Subs used: 10. Nesbitt (for Muirhead, 80), 32. King (for Salkeld, 80), 21. Sutton (for McAlister, 81)
Subs not used: 4. McLean, 7. Millar, 20. Rogers, 28. Livingstone
Booked: Salkeld (40′),
Ayr United (442): Doohan, Houston, Muirhead, Roscoe, Harvie, Docherty, Kelly, McCowan (McKenzie, 90), Moffat (McGuffie. 71), Forrest, Moore (Doolan, 75)
Subs not used: Ecrepont, Geggan, Hare-Reid
Booked: Docherty (53′)
Referee: Colin Steven
Attendance: 1,431
⭐️ Star Man: Lewis Strapp
image: Gary Bradley
