Strain for Boyd was the only change from Saturday putting Ramsay at No. 8 with Strain in at 10.
Ayr won the game in the first half hour; the two (well-worked) goals sandwiched a blatant penalty waved away by the appaling Mr Conroy, who during the course of the evening redefined the term 'homer'. Logan, while rising to meet a corner was felled by a clear push in the back. The referee, standing five yards away with a perfect view, chose to ignore it. Shortly after the second goal Vareille clipped the top of the bar with a shot from outside the box, the keeper beaten.
United's tackling in midfield during the opening third of the game was excellent, picking up from where they left off on Saturday. However, as Morton pressed to get back into the game Ayr began to fall away badly, not helped by the fact that they were playing full-timers.
Morton passed and moved well, without really threatening the Honest Men and on most occasions the defence stood firm. That said, McGeown was equal to almost everything thrown at him - his only mistake was redeemed by McKinstry who cleared
off the line.
Their goal arose from a disputed free-kick; the marking was poor and Lilley headed home from six yards, McGeown could do nothing. After that we just about held on although United had claims for a second penalty in stoppage time. But they had done enough and all credit to the players and management.
Ayr won the game due to Strain but didn't lose thanks to
McGeown. McKinstry, Logan and Ramsay did particularly well but on a superb night you couldn't fault anyone.