According to AYR United manager Scott Brown, his players’ pursuit of excellence could come at a high cost.
This weekend, the Somerset Park team was defeated by title rivals Raith Rovers at home.
Ian Murray’s side was defeated 2-1 by the Honest Men, with Brown’s old Hibernian teammate defeating his Ayr rival.
Ayr was always going to need to put on a magnificent display because the visitors took the lead after just four minutes, which was far from ideal.
However, United responded shortly after, as Roy Syla scored following a flurry in the six-yard box to tie the score at one.
Rovers took the lead again through a goal from Lewis Vaughan in stoppage time in the first half. Kevin Dabrowski of Raith made some amazing saves in the second half to prevent any further goals.
After the game, Brown told Ayr United TV, “The performance wasn’t too bad.”
“We seemed to have locked them in, especially in the second half, as they had few opportunities and little possession.
We appeared to be the superior squad and had a good chance of winning. We are unable to get the ball over the line due to minute issues.
“The goaltender produced a few excellent saves. We simply didn’t put the ball in the box at the appropriate moment enough questions today.”
Brown added that if they are to break teams down more frequently, maybe his approach needs to 
change.
He stated on Ayr United TV: “We had chances and we always want to score the ideal goal, but you can’t always get that goal when the ground is a little bit bobbly.
We need to improve the connection between that play and Anton (Dowds), who is a great focal point who can be played off of or into.
One positive thing about us, in my opinion, is that we were always competitive. We did create opportunities, and it was excellent that in the second half we appeared to be unstoppable.
“We need to put the ball in the back of the net and work the goalie a little bit more at the same time.”
There is no rest for Ayr now as they are ready to welcome third-place Partick Thistle on Tuesday, February 27. The Jags, who lost 3-1 to Dunfermline on Friday night, are also trying to recover from a setback.
Having given up two goals in each of their last four games, Brown says the emphasis will shift to preventing goals from being scored before the game.
“We need to stop leaking goals—that’s four games in a row that we’ve conceded two goals,” he said to Ayr United TV.
That has left us a little let down. That goes beyond simple defence; I feel bad for the defenders because they did a great job of it today.
From front to rear, it moves. Here, we work as a team and accept accountability.
