Ayr United 2
Dundee 4
League (Division One)

Match Report

Newspaper extract from The Courier.

Alan Gilzean is back on the dot. And that makes for a happier Dundee. His opportunism won the game. He always seemed to be on the right foot at the right time. And his marksmanship was deadly.

Ayr, despite their lengthy spells of pressure, had no forward with that chance-snapping flair. The gap in their defence was as long as the Tay Bridge when Gilzean opened the scoring after Robertson and Henderson had danced their way through. Then Gilzean netted again after Cousin had done the spade work.

Ayr kept pegging away, and with Liney out of his goal, Price let rip an express drive. Left-back Cox, on the goal line, made a fantastic leap and finger- tipped the ball over the bar. It was a save any 'keeeper would have been proud of. Willie McIntyre scored from the spot.

Shortly after that goal Price and Ure were lectured by the referee after a clash.

In the boiling-up second half there was a goal-scoring burst. Three goals in four crazy minutes. Alastair McIntyre equalised in melee.

Next minute Cousin shot home from a Jardine corner. And two minutes later that man Gilzean again tapped into the net after Hamilton had partially saved a Henderson header.

The explosion came 11 minutes from time, Ure was booked by the referee after grassing McMillan. Immediately after that Ayr born Ure and Willie McIntyre were involved in an incident. The referee consulted linesman and a then ordered both players off.

Dundee deserved to win. They were the classier team. They had a definite pull at inside forward, and their forwards always moved in rhythm. And they had Alan Gilzean.

Liney was a grand 'keeper, and Hamilton and Cox first class defenders. Young Alex Stewart was the outstanding middle man afield. This sound tackling half back invariably parted to advantage. The duels between Price and Ure were highlights. The pivot excelled in headwork, but Ayr's centre had the edge when the ball was the on ground.

Ayr's biggest weakness was at inside-forward, where both McMillan and Walker were terribly slow in thought and action. Price and his wingers had to fend for themselves. On several occasions Price had vile luck with his shooting.

The Ayr half-backs were simply plodders with Hamilton and his backs never-say-die defenders.