Player Ratings (vs. Falkirk)

Man of the Match

6)  Andy Geggan 7 out of 10

The type of midfielder you could easily miss I suppose, but Geggan puts in a power of work in midfield and is a real box-to-box player with an eye for getting forward to support the front line. Ayr United's Steven Gerrard?

1) Kevin Cuthbert 7 
Hugely busy afternoon for the keeper, frantic at times. Coped well under pressure but could have perhaps done better at the second Falkirk goal when faced with a one-on-one.

2) John Robertson 7
Really shaky start saw him give the ball away a number of times but recovered to set up Wardlaw's goal and marshall the back line following Campbell sending off.
 
3) Eddie Malone 7
A steady game from Eddie on his return and a fine free-kick.
 
4) Chris Smith 6
Again looked a little nervous at the back.
 
5) Martyn Campbell 5
Came up against a tough competitor in Farid El Allegui and came off second best, legitimately or otherwise. Lucky he won't face too many like the 'clever' Moroccan this season.

7) Micheal Moffat 7
Puts a shift in the wide midfield position but positionally and defensively not ideal.  Would be better deployed upfront alongside Wardlaw.
 
8) Jamie McKernon 7
The more I see of the this lad the more I like him.  Very tidy in possession, picking the ball up from the back four and uses it well.  Forming a good partnership with Geggan.
 
9) Gareth Wardlaw 7
Has come back to Ayr a much better player.  Will still miss chances but has the experience to work defences and cause trouble. Probably got the better of a tough opponent in Darren Dods and took his goal well.
 
10) Mark Roberts 6
I think Marko might be 'undropable' as far as Brian Reid is concerned but at times its almost like playing a man down, I'm sorry to say. May play a more valuable role as a substitute when games are calling out for a bit of composure or a goal out of nothing.  Didn't have the legs to keep up with a youthful Falkirk side.

11) Michael McGowan 7
Another great performance from the winger, Ayr's main threat going forward. Can go inside or out and has decent delivery into the box as well as a goal threat.  Great acquisition by Brian Reid.

Subs:
14) Gareth Armstrong (on for Wardlaw, 86 mins) 3
Slotted in at right-back as Ayr switched back to four in defence as Falkirk pressed forward in search of winger.

15) Ross Robertson (on for Roberts, 76 mins) 3
Took one for the team when he picked up a yellow to prevent a dangerous looking Falkirk break.

Player Ratings (vs. Dundee)

Man of the Match

9) Gareth Wardlaw 7 out of 10
Could have been one of a number of players but I've gone for Wardlaw. Mostly ploughed a lone furrow up front but worked the Dundee defence all the time he was on and was the focal point for Ayr's attacking endeavour.  Last time in this division too many defences got an easy ride from Ayr United but Wardlaw won't allow that to happen.

1) Kevin Cuthbert 7 
Came close to turning over McCluskey's shot that led to Dundee's equaliser and earned some luck later on in the game as McIntosh's shot cannoned off the crossbar.  Commanded his box well and brought assurance to United's defensive display.

2) Gareth Armstong 5
Tormented at times by Dundee's left winger (albeit Moffat didn't give him too much support in front) but stuck to his task well and grew into the game, getting forward at times in the second-half. Comfortable in possession - still haven't seen the lad misplace a pass - but maybe lacking in pace to deal with real speed merchants.
 
3) Chris Smith 5
Was nervy at times and seems more comfortable at centre-back.  Positioning out at times and could he have been closer to McCluskey for the shot that saw Dundee equalise.
 
4) John Robertson 6
Didn't have have a great deal to do but was his consummate self. Helped Armstrong through the game and played the ball out of defence neatly.
 
5) Martyn Campbell 6
Mostly untroubled in open play, increasingly a threat in the opposition's box is what I said last week and the same applies.
 
6) Andy Geggan 7
Didn't allow the Dundee midfield to setting into the game at all.

7) Alan Trouten 
Groin injury meant his game lasted just 6 minutes.
 
8) Jamie McKernan 6
I'll admit I wasn't convinced in the worth of Reid bringing in another untested SPL youngster but but in a composed and tidy performance.
 
10) Mark Roberts 5
A quiet game for the skipper, playing more of a deeper role behind Wardlaw.  At times clearly lacked the legs to get up to support or get beyond the Dundee defence. Is Moffat the better option alongside Wardlaw?

11)  Michael McGowan 7 

Last week I said "provided some good deliveries into the box. Gareth Wardlaw could well be be man to capitalise" and I was almost right.  Produced an inch perfect cross on to the head of Moffat for the opener and in the second-half went by Dundee left-back Matt Lockwood a number of times.  

Subs:
12) Michael Moffat (on for Trouten, 7 mins) 6
Deployed in a wide midfield role, he worked hard as always and linked well with Wardlaw at times. Goal will do the world for his confidence, although he never seems to let missed chances bother him.
 
15) Ross Robertson (on for Wardlaw, 75 mins) 3
Brought on to play the 'Wardlaw role' up-front and had an opportunity early on but maybe lacked the pace and finesse to capitalise. A good option to have.

Player Ratings (vs. Hamilton)

vs. Hamilton Accies

Man of the Match

11)  Michael McGowan 8 out of 10

Not just for his goal, McGowan was a danger on the left hand side all game and provided some good deliveries into the box. Gareth Wardlaw could well be be man to capitalise...

1) Kevin Cuthbert 6 
Will cop the blame from some for the goals but in truth there was little he could do with either under extreme Hamilton pressure.  Otherwise dealt with what little he had to do comfortably.

2) John Robertson 6
Culpable perhaps for the two goals but provides some much needed experience on the right, including going forward.


3) Eddie Malone 7
Effort typified by the offside goal which saw him stretchered off.


4) Chris Smith 6
Relatively error-free performance


5) Martyn Campbell 6
Mostly untroubled in open play, increasingly a threat in the opposition's box.


6) Andy Geggan 7
Great effort in the middle of the park. Needs more help than he's getting.

7) Alan Trouten 5
Poor game following two assists and a goal versus East Stirling. Failed to get involved and looked lost out on the right. Should have done better with chance at the end.


8) Alex Burke 4
If there was a physical presence or an obvious tactical influence, then maybe. But I fail to see what Burke is offering us. Not even 60 minutes at the moment. Less wasteful in possession than against East Stirling but continues to disappoint.


9) Michael Moffat 6
You suspect the Moff needs a goal as he adjusts to First Division football, having albums named after him and mixing with naked painted ladies. Worked hard as always but won't be able to beat defences on his own.


10) Mark Roberts 6
Some neat touches as we've come to expect but do we need more from the skipper?


Subs:
12) Gareth Wardlaw (on for Roberts, 64 mins) 3
Perhaps a little too much remonstrating and not enough hitting the target. Gave us a useful option up-front.


14) Jamie McKernon (on for Burke, 52 mins) 4 
Tidy enough but he just a lad.  Ross Robertson would surely be a better option?


15) Gareth Armstrong (on for Malone, 67 mins) 3
Got his chance on merit according to Reid. Might look unconvincing but never wasted a pass.