Dundee 2
Ayr United 1
League Cup (2nd Round 1st Leg)

Match Report

Dundee could have done with a bigger safety margin for the second leg of this tie at Ayr in a fortnight's time. In fact, for a long spell last night, it seemed they were not to break down this well-organised Ayr side.

Two second-half goals brightened the home scene, but only briefly, for the visitors knocked one off, and will no doubt be well satisfied with their night's work.

There's still a lot to play for at Ayr, but Dundee had so much of the ball last night, and so much pressure, that they surely cannot have the same finishing failures a second time.

Dundee's only change in personnel from the rearguard fight at Ibrox was John Fletcher for Willie Watson.

The home side were soon putting on the pressure and went close in five minutes. Murphy got a touch to a fierce Barr cross, and Rennie could only parry the ball. In the skirmish which followed, Redford had a shot blocked.

After McSherry had ballooned a shot over Donaldson's bar, Dundee came back with a tasty bit of ball play from Sinclair, and a cross just begging to be converted. But the ball slipped past friend and foe.

Before the 15th minute had passed Murphy had taken six corners for the home side. They were striving hard for the breakthrough but with no clear cut chances so far.

Wee Murphy had a go himself from 25 yards, the ball slipping past the post with Rennie stretched. The keeper was also happy to see a sliced clearance from his own defender Fleeting sail over the bar.

In the midst of Dundee's pressure, Ayr broke away to have the toughest of luck in 25 minutes. Right-back McColl used his left foot to send in a swerving shot which beat Donaldson, and came off the bar.

Already there were signs of over-anxiety as Ayr showed no sign of cracking. In fact, the visitors were getting more adventuresome in attack.

The persistent Eric Sinclair almost did the trick in 37 minutes with a shot which Rennie beat down in fine style. Incredibly, another gilt-edged chance cropped up for Ayr, as Frye, with a clear view from 15 yards, shot wide.

Ayr had a weak penalty claim after Glennie tackled Cramond-then it was back to Rennie's end. This time Murphy's cross from the right was headed into the keeper's arms by Sinclair.

The Dens Parkers stepped up the pace and the effort, but still couldn't find a way through. Too many passes were going astray at the vital moment.

In 59 minutes Shirra replaced Redford, who had been limping after a tackle.

In the 69th minute Dundee at last took the lead. Sinclair was the scorer, heading in from close range, but Barr's dogged run down the right and perfect cross under pressure laid it on for the striker.

For the first time Ayr looked rattled and rocky. They were fortunate to survive several strong attacks.

The second goal came in 76 minutes. A Shirra corner on the right was pushed out by Rennie straight to Murphy 20 yards from goal. The winger waster no time in shooting accuratel into the back of the net.

One minute later, Ayr scored, Frye heading in a cross from the left.

Dundee, still pressing strongly, had two near things in the closing minutes. A Sinclair header missed by inches, and then Rennie's leg luckily saved a close-in effort by the same player.

Match report written by The Courier