Ayr United take play-off advantage as Jamie Murphy heads Firhill winner for Honest Men

Daily Record

06-05-2025

United will go into Friday's second leg with a narrow lead after coming through tonight's Firhill tie on top.
Jamie Murphy used all of his experience to put Ayr in the play-off driving seat as the Honest Men mastered Maryhill on Tuesday night.
The veteran playmaker popped up with a glancing header early in the second half to deservedly hand United the advantage going into Friday's second leg at Somerset.
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United were measured for large parts of this contest and even had to negotiate an early injury reshuffle at the back which threatened to derail their plans.
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They had been dealt a huge body blow before a ball was even kicked when George Stanger - an ever-present in the Championship this season - was ruled out through injury.
And United could name only six on their bench as they went with a reshaped back three with saw Nick McAllister and Lenny Agbaire alongside Scott McMann.
Their woes continued just seconds into the game when McAllister sustained a head knock challenging Dan O'Reilly and, although able to continue for a few minutes, ultimately had to be withdrawn.
That meant another reshuffle with the game barely underway, but Ayr refused to be knocked from their stride and began the game brightly.
Marco Rus went close as they had the game's first chance before a flurry of stoppages in play by ref David Dickinson threatened to spoil the contest.
Ayr needed Josh Clarke to come up big with a massive stop to deny Thistle co-manager Brian Graham when he plucked the striker's goalbound header out of the air - just as it looked to be soaring into the top corner.
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Seconds later, Dickinson came to Ayr's aid when he waved away loud penalty shouts after Agbaire had tussled with Robbie Crawford inside the box.
Half time was met with a chorus of boos from the home support, who showered Dickinson with a less than positive appraisal of his display to that point.
And the mood of the Thistle support didn't improve much after the interval as Ayr forged in front with a beauty of a goal. Connor McLennan did the spadework down the right with a wicked delivery and veteran Murphy arrived with the deftest of headers to send the Ayr support wild.
United could have been dreaming on the hour mark when McLennan picked the pocket of the Thistle defence but he couldn't play in Oakley with the Ayr number nine screaming for a pass when unmarked in the box.
And with Ayr beginning to enjoy themselves, McLennan then flashed an effort inches wide of the post as the visitors looked to flex their muscle on the tie.
The hosts piled forward in the latter stages in the hope of a dramatic leveller and Graham headed wide with the clock ticking down but Ayr were able to see it out.