Dundee United secured their first league win of the season with this comfortable win over Ayr at Tannadice.
Ray McKinnon’s men took control of the game in the first half thanks to two goals from Simon Murray and Jamie Robson.
They were not so dominant in the second 45 but finally put the match to bed with a rare Willo Flood goal.
The Tangerines made a bright start with Ayr keeper Greg Fleming having to pull off two early stops, the first from a Scott Fraser shot and then from a Coll Donaldson header.
However, he was helpless to prevent the home side taking the lead in the 13th minute.
Ayr’s Jamie Adams made a clumsy challenge on Cammy Smith inside his box with referee Greig Aitken immediately pointing to the spot. Nick van der Velden stepped up to take it but Fleming pulled off a great diving save to parry his effort. Unfortunately for the goalie, Dundee United’s Murray reacted fastest to nod home from close range.
Ayr were struggling to create chances although former Dundee favourite Gary Harkins tried his luck from the edge of the United penalty area but his shot was easily gathered by Cammy Bell.
The Tangerines then increased their lead in the 37th minute when Flood produced a tempting cutback from the right with young Robson shooting past Fleming to make it 2-0.
Ayr made a better fist of things as the second half began with Harkins having a great opportunity to pull one back on the hour mark when he was teed up at the edge of the box but he ballooned his shot well over – much to the delight of the home fans.
Murray thought he had scored his second and United’s third in the 71st minute but his “goal” was chalked off for offside.
However, the home support only had five minutes to wait to celebrate a legitimate counter when sub Tope Obadeyi sent in a superb low cross from the left with Flood volleying the ball home from close range.
For full report, reaction and analysis, see Monday’s Courier.
