Match Report: Morton U-20s 2-2 Ayr United U-20s
Morton Under-20s 2 – 2 Ayr United Under-20s
McWaters (62, 89) – McKenzie (18), Sherrie (81)
Two-goal hero Alex McWaters scored a last-gasp equaliser to salvage a draw for Morton’s Under-20s as they twice came back from behind to hold Ayr United at Cappielow last night.
A young Ton team went into the fixture looking for a third consecutive victory as they attempted to cut into Queen of the South’s seven-point lead at the top of Development League West.
But their hopes were dealt an early blow when, on 18 minutes, Somerset striker Sean McKenzie collected a Stuart Faulds pass, weaved past a challenge inside the box and squeezed the ball under goalkeeper Jamie McGowan.
The visitors had been the better team in the first 30 minutes, but almost found themselves pegged back as a result of a moment of magic from Scott Tiffoney.
Wideman Tiffoney attempted to catch out goalkeeper Jordan Hart with a disguised free-kick from 35 yards, which he whipped around the wall instead of swinging in the expected delivery.
The audacious attempt looked to have come off until the last second as it just didn’t have enough bend on it and shaved the outside of the right-hand post before rippling the net.
Tiffoney has been one of the standout performers with the Under-20s this term, and he was the architect behind both Ton goals on the night.
On 62 minutes, the 18-year-old drove down the left to the bye-line and pulled back into the path of Ben Armour. The hitman cracked a first-time shot against the base of the post.
However, McWaters was on hand to fire the rebound inside the opposite upright and bring his side level by netting the first of his double.
Morton began to push for a winner, with Tiffoney rattling the crossbar with a fierce strike from distance after a meandering run infield, but found themselves trailing again with nine minutes remaining.
Ayr substitute Jack Sherrie was the scorer, rising almost unopposed at the back post to power a header past McGowan after getting on the end of Adam Caldwell’s looping cross from the right.
But just when it appeared as though Andy Millen’s men were about to suffer their first home loss of the season, McWaters popped up with his second goal of the evening on 89 minutes.
Tiffoney conjured up the opening out of nothing, searing clear down the left after working his way out of a tight situation before picking out his team-mate with a precise low cross.
McWaters still had a lot to do, but his execution was perfect, opening up his body to allow the ball to run through him before expertly steering a shot inside the right-hand post with his instep to rescue a point.
The draw means that the Ton now trail table toppers Queen of the South by six points, albeit they have a game in hand over the Doonhamers.
Morton (4411)
1. McGowan
2. Duffy 5. Mitchell 6. Tennent 3. Strapp
10. Tiffoney 6. Eardley 8. Langan (c) 11. McWaters
7. Purdue
9. Armour
Subs used: 15. Docherty (for Purdue, 70), 12. Anderson (for Eardley, 77), and 14. Miller (for Armour, 78).
Subs not used: 20. Connor (gk).
Booked: Armour (56), Strapp (65), Tiffoney (67).
Referee: Ross Menzies
Image: Gary Bradley
