Saints 1-2 Ayr United

The cinch Championship side took the lead on 29 minutes as George Stanger got on the end of a Jamie Murphy free kick to head the visitors in front.

Max Kucheriavyi scored his first goal for Saints just before half time to level match.

However, The Honest Men sealed the win on 71 minutes as a long-range strike from Ben Dempsey took a deflection off Mark McKenzie which deceived Dimitar Mitov.

Ayr had a chance late on to extend their lead but Dempsey’s penalty was saved by Mitov.

Next up for Saints is their final Viaplay Cup Group A match at home to Stirling Albion on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints welcomed Ayr United to McDiarmid Park this evening for a Viaplay Cup Group A match. This evening’s match was Saints first home game of the season and manager Steven MacLean decided to go with the same starting eleven which started the 4-0 win at Alloa Athletic on Saturday. A Mark McKenzie goal on 27 minutes saw Ayr United defeat Stenhousemuir 1-0 last Tuesday evening and manager Lee Bullen made three changes to his starting eleven for this evening’s cup match. Charlie Albinson, Nick McAllister and Finn Ecrepont came in to replace Robbie Mutch and Patrick Reading who both dropped to the bench whilst Michael Hewitt missed out completely.

Andy Murdoch got the match underway for the visitors but it would Saints who would have the better of the opening exchanges. On 2 minutes Max Kucheriavyi delivered a good ball into the box which was cut out by Ben Dempsey however, Stevie May reacted quickest to the loose ball as he put his effort over the bar.

Then a minute later great play by Kucheriavyi saw him hold off the challenge from an Ayr defender before picking out Cammy Ballantyne in the box however, the midfielder saw his header flash wide of the post.

Saints continued their good start to the match and on 9 minutes Luke Jephcott played in May but Charlie Albinson was out quick to deny the Saints forward. The loose ball broke to May but the Ayr keeper was up quick to again deny the Saints number seven.

On 15 minutes good play by former Saints player Jamie Murphy saw him skip past Tony Gallacher however, he was stopped in his tracks by Ballantyne as The Honest Men were awarded a free kick in a promising position. The free kick was taken by Murphy and it looked like he was going to send an in-swinging cross into the box however, he elected to have a shot at goal which hit the side netting.

PHOTO: Stevie May's shot is saved by Charlie Albinson

2 minutes later a great ball by Gallacher played in Graham Carey who broke away from Nick McAllister as he took a touch as it looked like he was going to cross the ball into the danger area however, he lost his footing and the chance was gone.

Just before the half an hour mark Ayr took the lead. A foul on Fraser Bryden out wide on the left saw The Honest Men awarded a free kick. Murphy took the free kick as he delivered a perfect ball into the six-yard box for George Stranger who rose to plant a header high into the top corner of the net to put the visitors in front.

With 3 minutes of the first half remaining Carey won Saints just outside the box after he was fouled by Finn Ecrepont. Carey took the free himself however, he fired high into the North Stand.

Saints though levelled the match just before half time. Great play by Carey saw him get away from McAllister as he broke down the left before he sending over an inviting ball into the box which Kucheriavyi got on the end of to send a brilliant looping header over Albinson for his first goal for the club.

PHOTO: Max Kucheriavyi celebrates his goal

Kucheriavyi almost got his and Saints second in first half stoppage time as he was inches away from connecting with another Carey ball into the box.  

On 49 minutes Carey play a delightful through ball to Jephcott however, the effort from the forward lacked power as Albinson comfortably gathered.

A minute later great skill by Carey saw him skip away from McAllister and into the box however, his effort was saved by Albinson. The ball then broke to Kucheriavyi but his shot was blocked by Ecrepont.

Saints continued to create chances and on 66 minutes Carey fed the ball to Kucheriavyi down the left channel and the Ukrainian sent over a dangerous delivery into the box which was cleared by Mark McKenzie.  Steven MacLean’s men created another chance 2 minutes later as Ballantyne played in Jephcott however, his shot on the turn went wide of the mark.  

PHOTO: Luke Jephcott’s shot is saved

The visitors were looking dangerous on the counter attack and they created a chance of their own on 70 minutes however, Tony Gallacher did well to get back to deny Ayr substitute Sam Ashford. Play continued and the ball broke to Dempsey who had a go from distance and his strike took a deflection off McKenzie to deceive Mitov as it hit the back of the net to put Ayr back in front.

Saints made their first change of the game on 77 minutes as Max Kucheriavyi was replaced by Taylor Steven as the Perth side looked to get back in the match.

However, a minute later Ayr came close to a third as a Murphy free kick from the left was head on by McAllister into the path of Ashford but the forward was denied by Mitov who made a good save.

With 9 minutes remaining Saints created a couple of chances to level the match as firstly Steven saw his effort blocked and then Saints captain Liam Gordon had a go but his strike was deflected behind for a corner by McAllister.

Ayr were given a great opportunity to extend their lead on 84 minutes as The Honest Men were awarded a penalty following a handball by Carey. Dempsey stepped up to take the penalty and the midfielder sent his effort towards the middle of the goal but Mitov made a good save with his legs to keep Saints in the match.

PHOTO: Dimitar Mitov saves Ben Dempsey’s penalty

Saints made another change with 4 minutes remaining as Jackson Mylchreest came on to replace Luke Jephcott however, there was no late comeback from the McDiarmid Park side as Ayr saw the game out to take the points to move top of Group A whilst Saints crashed out of the competition. 

Saints: Mitov, Gallacher, Considine, McGowan, Gordon, May, Carey, Wright, Kucheriavyi (Steven 77’), Jephcott (Mylchreest 86’), Ballantyne

Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Booth, Ferguson, Parker, Phillips, Klimionek, McCrystal

Booked: Carey, Steven

Scorer: Kucheriavyi (43’)

Ayr United: Albinson, McAllister, McGinty, Murdoch, Dempsey, Stanger, Murphy, Amartey (Tomlinson 86’), Ecrepont (Reading 68’), McKenzie, Bryden (Ashford 69’)

Unused Substitute: Mutch (GK), Pendlebury, Smith, Watret

Booked: Dempsey, Murdoch, McAllister, Murphy

Scorers: Stanger (29’), Dempsey (71’)

Referee: Nick Walsh

Attendance: 2,669

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Ryan McGowan battles with Mark McKenzie