Watch: Ayr hold slender lead at Arbroath

BBC News

a day ago

Update:
Date: 45+2
Title: CLOSE!
Content: Arbroath 0-1 Ayr United
How are Arbroath not level?!
Findlay Marshal reverses the ball into the path of Jake Wilkie from the edge of the area, but the latter's shot is into the side netting.
So, so close again for the hosts.
Update:
Date: 45'
Title: CLOSE!
Content: Arbroath 0-1 Ayr United
A well-weighted Harry Cochrane cross is glanced narrowly past the post by Ryan Dow.
What a chance to level it on the stroke of the interval.
Update:
Date: 44'
Title: YELLOW CARD
Content: Arbroath 0-1 Ayr United
And now an Ayr booking.
Jude Bonnar, fit again and back on the pitch, is cautioned for a cynical foul in the middle of the park and Arbroath look to break.
Update:
Date: 42'
Title: YELLOW CARD
Content: Arbroath 0-1 Ayr United
George Oakley chases a ball down the left-hand side and shows his experience to draw in Aaron Muirhead, as he has no support.
They pair scamper after it down the line before Muirhead hauls down Oakley, and is subsequently booked for his troubles.
Update:
Date: 40'
Title: Post
Content: Arbroath 0-1 Ayr United
Ayr's David Mitchell is called into action as he holds a powerful Gavin Reilly shot.
There is a break in play right now after Jude Bonnar landed awkwardly on his knee after a leap.
He's back up on his feet now as he tries to walk it off.
Update:
Date: 37'
Title: Post
Content: Arbroath 0-1 Ayr United
Another Arbroath attack, another slack pass in the final third, and it breaks down.
They're doing well to keep the pressure up and win plenty of second balls, mind you.
A touch more composure in the final third and they're right back in this game.
Update:
Date: 33'
Title: Post
Content: Arbroath 0-1 Ayr United
Craig Watson has another lash from distance, but the shot flies over the bar.
David Mitchell is yet to be tested in the Ayr goal.
Update:
Date: 31'
Title: Post
Content: Arbroath 0-1 Ayr United
Nope, they cannot.
In fact, Arbroath can counter.
Ryan Dow capitalises on a mistake and bursts forward with great endeavour, but a poor final ball back across from Harry Cochrane and the move breaks down.
Update:
Date: 28'
Title: Post
Content: Arbroath 0-1 Ayr United
Ryan Dow leaps to challenge for the ball and is penalised by the referee. Pretty harshly, it must be said.
Too many long balls are leaving the hosts without much of the ball, the further up the pitch they go.
Ayr play from the free-kick and win another corner. Can they double their lead?
Update:
Date: 24'
Title: Post
Content: Arbroath 0-1 Ayr United
Gavin Reilly turns around to the referee with his arms open after taking a tumble under a Nick McAllister challenge.
Contact? Probably. A booking? Away and haver.
Update:
Date: 20'
Title: Post
Content: Arbroath 0-1 Ayr United
Better from the hosts.
Some sustained possession in the final third and a shot at goal from Craig Watson, but he doesn't connect as well as he'd have liked and swipes it wide.
Update:
Date: 20:04 BST
Title: WATCH: Murphy stunner kicks off Championship season
Content: Arbroath 0-1 Ayr United
This video can not be played
Ayr United score first goal of Scottish Championship season
Update:
Date: 15'
Title: Post
Content: Arbroath 0-1 Ayr United
Ryan Dow thinks he's in behind for the hosts and ready to fizz the ball across, or burst into the box.
The offside flag is promptly raised, halting his progress. A mightily tight call.
Update:
Date: 12'
Title: Post
Content: Arbroath 0-1 Ayr United
Arbroath scrap their way back into the game and wrestle back some possession.
A long, searching ball is well overhit, though, and it's back with the visitors.
Update:
Date: 8'
Title: Post
Content: Arbroath 0-1 Ayr United
A delay in proceedings due to some pyrotechnics being lobbed onto the pitch.
Time for Scott Brown to have quite the animated chat with George Oakley it seems.
Gesticulating like only a football manager does.
Update:
Date: 5'
Title: GOAL Arbroath 0-1 Ayr United
Content: Jamie Murphy
That's how you start a league campaign.
From the corner, George Oakley wins a header and the back post, and Mark McKenzie sets it back to Jamie Murphy, who is lingering outside the area.
He shapes to bend it into the top right corner and does just that. The goalie had no chance, that was always tracking goalward.
Update:
Date: 4'
Title: Post
Content: Arbroath 0-0 Ayr United
A rapid start from Arbroath as they break into the area from kick off, but the final ball doesn't stick.
After a few sideways passes, Ayr take their first venture forward and win a corner.
Update:
Date: 1'
Title: KICK-OFF
Content: Arbroath 0-0 Ayr United
A peep from the referee's whistle and the 2025-26 Scottish football league season is under way.
What better venue to start us off than Gayfield?
Update:
Date: 19:42 BST
Title: Brown raring to go
Content: Arbroath v Ayr United (19:45)
Ayr United manager Scott Brown: "We're looking for it.
"It's not often you come up to Arbaoth, and it's a really nice day!
"First game of the season, on the television, and it's great to see Arbroath back too.
"We need to make sure we start the season really well."
Short sleeves at Gayfield? Fair enough.
Update:
Date: 19:40 BST
Title: Gold 'excited' for Championship opener
Content: Arbroath v Ayr United (19:45)
Arbroath co-manager David Gold: "Super excited, last year was fantastic and the boys got their reward in the end.
"It's nice to be back in the Championship.
"We believe in the players in the dressing room that we've got a good mix of experienced players that have played in the Championship before and youth players that are ready to step up as well."