Ayr United make last eight of Trust Trophy as Scott Brown hails Honest Men for digging deep

United came through today's tie but suffered more injury concerns.

SCOTT Brown admitted Ayr had to dig deep to reach the last eight of the SPFL Trust Trophy today.

United saw off Peterhead but were given a stern test by the League Two side on a day when United's already stretched squad came under more strain.

Frankie Musonda, Dylan Watret and Alfie Bavidge were all missing on international duty while Liam Russell watched from the stand due to being cup tied.

And with injuries already a concern for Brown, Ayr's curse appeared to strike within the opening 10 minutes when Ryan Howley limped off nursing a hamstring strain.

Howley was one of six changes to the side beaten at Falkirk last week, with new boy Connor McLennan straight in for his debut.

Brown deployed Roy Syla at right back in a much changed line-up and Ayr struggled to get going early on, with the Blue Toon looking by far the bigger threat in front of goal.

But the home side finally flexed their muscle and McLennan was at the heart of most of their good work.

George Oakley was inches away from converting a Jay Henderson cross as they pushed for the opener. And it duly arrived when Jamie Murphy's dipping 20 yard shot flew in via a wicked deflection off Peter Pawlett.

Seb Ross went close to grabbing a leveller just after half time but was thwarted by Harry Stone, who was back between the sticks for United.

And Ayr quickly doubled their lead when half time sub Ethan Walker, who replaced Syla with fellow sub Mark McKenzie going to right back, made an immediate impact.

Walker finished off a flowing Ayr move, getting on the end of a cross from Henderson to fire home. Oakley almost made it 3-0 soon after as Ayr threatened to run away with it.

But Peterhead blew the tie open when ex-Honest Man man Cammy Smith saw his shot squirm below Stone. And Smith went close to levelling when his shot was spilled by Stone and Ayr had to hack clear.

Blue Toon sub Kieran Shanks then missed a golden chance to force penalties when he fired over from point blank range in the closing seconds.

Boss Brown said: "We had to make sure we got up for it and show some control and I thought we did that for the most part.

"We pick up another injury to Ryan in the first 10 minutes and it's a blow. Our squad is clearly a little bit depleted at the moment so the main thing was getting through.

"In terms of the competition it's one game at a time and we aren't looking too far forward to semi finals or finals. Our only focus now is Livingston next week."

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