Ayrshire weekend football roundup

Kilmarnock made a losing return to Premiership action against Rangers; Dunfermline halted Ayr United’s aim for back-to-back wins, as the South Challenge Cup took centre stage across the lower divisions.

Neil McCann’s Killie fell to a 3-1 defeat at Ibrox at the weekend as top-flight football came back from a three-week hiatus following the international break.

Their last league game before the break was a 1-1 home draw with Hearts on September 19, with forward Joe Hugill getting on the scoresheet.

A late Nicky Clescenco consolation goal proved very little as a Ryan Naderi brace and Kevin Kelsey strike proved to be a blow for the Rugby Park men in the first half, against former manager Derek McInnes.

Killie boss McCann admitted it was a “sore and frustrating” outcome from the encounter, despite his side recording 13 shots in Govan.

Speaking to club media, he said: “We’ve gifted Rangers the three-nil,  but I believe the second goal there was a handball. There wasn’t even a VAR check, and I don’t seem to get the rule anymore.

“Even at two-nil, we have two goal-edge opportunities, and we don’t take them. There was enough in the first half to show that we could cut through Rangers, even without that final product.

“I don’t want to be coming to Ibrox with a pat on the back saying ‘you won the second half’; it means nothing. That’s not who I want us to be, coming away from a place like this accepting defeat.”

Killie will look to return to winning ways as they welcome Alfred Johansson’s Motherwell to Rugby Park this weekend.

The defeat at Ibrox marks their first in four matches following two draws against the Jambos and Aberdeen, with their first league victory coming against Hibernian in between.

UNITED DENIED BY PARS

Gary Naysmith’s Ayr United had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Championship, denying them the chance to record back-to-back wins in the league for the first time since last October.

A Josh Cooper penalty for the visitors on 53 minutes was cancelled out by United’s Kevin Holt five minutes later as the match finished level.

The Honest Men were unable to find the winner against Neil Lennon’s Pars at Somerset Park, with hopes of building on their previous 2-1 victory at Livingston that saw winger Ross Taylor sent off in the first half.

Following Saturday’s game, United assistant boss Brown Ferguson viewed the stalemate as a “tough game against a really good opponent”.

He said: “It was tough conditions we had to play in, and the elements certainly played in Dunfermline’s favour. We showed resilience in that first half to defend our box well, and Harry (Stone) made some saves when he had to.

“There are similarities there from our win last week at Livingston, and we had to tweak a few things during that first period. There are areas that we do need to improve on.”

Brown added his praise for on-loan Hearts stopper Stone, who played a big part in United’s solid defensive display against both Livi and the Fifers.

He said: “Her made one or two really good saves, and made some blocks that came in front of him. You’re trying to get that best quality player to the club, and Harry has had those moments today to get us that point on the board.

“The defence in terms of defending our box is what we are really pleased with. As a team unit we have to be higher up the pitch, but we move on from this.”

United are at home again for Friday night Championship action as Partick Thistle are the visitors to Somerset Park in the BBC-televised fixture.

ANOTHER WEEK, ANOTHER CUP

Following last week’s success by Ayrshire sides in the Senior Scottish Cup first round, the South Challenge Cup Third Round would take the floor across the lower leagues.

Auchinleck Talbot were left scratching their head as they lost 1-0 at home to West of Scotland Premier Division side Kirkintilloch Rob Roy at Beechwood Park.

Tommy Sloan’s men made it back-to-back defeats in domestic cup competitions, following on from their Scottish Cup defeat to bitter rivals Cumnock at Townhead Park on 3 October.

Following the “frustrating” performance against Rob Roy, Talbot assistant Allan McLuckie said: “We didn’t do enough to win the game after going behind so early. Although we did dominate, their goalie has only made one save throughout the whole game.

“I’m not saying the past two weeks have been acceptable, but we’re not miles off it. It’s individual defensive errors that are costing us the games, but we’ll make sure in training that we are doing the best we can to iron them out.”

Largs Thistle picked up where they left off after last week’s Scottish Cup debut win at Gala Fairydean Rovers by beating First Division side Whitletts Victoria 2-0

Will Sewell and Josh Gilmour goals proved crucial for Stuart Davidson’s Theesel against the Ayr side at New Voluntary Park.

Further results in the cup saw Troon build on last week’s triumph at Deveronvale with a 2-1 victory at West Park United as Third Division Eglinton were thrashed 7-1 away to Johnstone Burgh despite going ahead in the tie.

The Scottish Communities Cup Third was also in play as Lowland League West leaders Kilwinning Rangers prevailed 5-4 on penalty kicks at Carnoustie Panmure after a 2-2 draw.