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Rovers had only one change to the team that narrowly lost out to Livingston last week, with Shaun Byrne returning from suspension.

This meant Ross Matthews dropped back into a defensive three, with Lewis Stevenson and Lewis Gibson at wing-back, Josh Mullin alongside Byrne in the middle, and Lewis Jamieson, Callum Smith and Dylan Easton up top.

It was a first half performance to be proud of for Rovers, with every player in navy blue giving their all and continuously going at the Ayr defence.

Lewis Gibson was especially lively, working hard to pressure every touch and rewarded twice in quick succession with our two goals coming from his fight to regain possession.

The first saw him press high, win the ball back and play in Lewis Jamieson.

Jamieson’s shot was saved, and palmed out to the feet of a waiting Callum Smith who slotted home.

Soon after, Gibson’s pressure once again paid off as he found Dylan Easton in the box, who comfortably flicked his shot into the corner.

However, it was a game of two halves and the second wasn’t a good one for Rovers.

Ayr flew out the traps and were awarded a penalty after 49 minutes, after the referee deemed Ross Matthews to handle the ball in the box.

Anton Dowds scored, and 20 minutes later got his second of the game to equalise.

Just one minute later, the ball once again broke down their right wing, crossed over into the box and this time it was George Oakley who found the back of the net.

Despite Rovers pushing for the last 20 minutes, Ayr remained ahead and the match ended 3-2.

A second-half comeback to see us exit this year’s SPFL Trust Trophy campaign.

Live Updates

0'
Welcome to the Challenge Cup tie at Somerset Ayr United v Raith Rovers - sun has just burst through
0'
Raith get the game underway- Raith shooting towards the empty away shed (Raith fans housed in the main stand area)
1'
Good play from Raith, starts off with a lovely pass to Stevenson from Easton who then finds Smith, his low shot is blocked
4'
Gibson has the ball down the right he cuts the ball into Mullin but he’s being heavily marked
7'
Lovely play between Stevenson, Easton and Mullin play ends with a foul on Liam Dick
9'
From the free kick ball played to the back post and Ayr head out - corner Raith
9'
From the corner ball played to from post and Ayr head clear
11'
⚽️
Jamieson with the set up gets the ball across the goal Smith hits it, comes off the post but he gets a second bite SMITH scores
12'
Ayr free kick is headed out by Liam Dick - corner Ayr
15'
⚽️
It’s EASTON for goal number two after Gibson cuts the ball through
17'
Ayr freekick on edge of Raith Box - ball is floated in and ball out out for an Ayr corner and Gibson booked
18'
Dabrowski gets down to ground to save
20'
A miss kick from Dabriwski gifts Henderson the ball - he’s thankfully challenged
22'
Raith freekick on edge of Ayr box - ball played oot the park
24'
Well played by Liam Dick as he challenges well - Ayr throw in
27'
Good ball from Gibson to Jamieson who launches the ball into the box, Smith runs in but he can’t quite get a toe to it
28'
Corner Ayr after Dabrowski gets a hand to the ball - ball played short. Ball eventually played into the box then out again, it’s a stramash as both teams try to break the ball free. Play ends with Ayr shooting wide
29'
From a Raith corner ball played to near back post but headed out for goal kick
31'
From a Raith throw in ball played quickly to Smith he see Mullin and feeds the ball to him, Mullin’s low shot goes wide
33'
Jamieson tries to run on to a loose ball which has been fed by Ayr in their box- keeper gets to the ball just
34'
Watret has a pop and Dabrowski collects
37'
Easton puts a decent ball into the Ayr box but no one there to convert
39'
🟨
Matthews booked after a foul on an Ayr player deep in their half - freekick to Ayr which comes to nothing
42'
Freekick Raith deep in their half after Gibson fouled
44'
Freekick Raith after Gibson fouled again deep in Ayr half - Mullin from approx 35 yards out places ball deep, play ends with a Raith corner
45'
45+3 Ref blows for half time Ayr 0 Raith 2 (Smith 11’, Easton 15’)
45'
Ayr get the second half underway - Raith shooting towards the home fans this half
47'
From an Ayr corner ball played to penalty area, it’s cleared but fired back in and Dabrowski gets down to palm away
48'
Penalty Ayr - Dowds to take
48'
Dabrowski the opposite way and Dowds scores
50'
From an Ayr corner ball played to the penalty area again but it’s eventually blasted over the bar
56'
Freekick Raith deep into the Ayr half - ball played to centre of box and cleared
57'
Excellent timed challenge from Stevenson in the Raith box- ball is played back in and Dabrowski gets up to collect
60'
Rus with an effort as he gets past Matthews, thankfully his effort goes wide but it’s a decent effort
62'
Hamlin does well to keep the ball from Oakley, he turns take the ball back in and plays to Easton
64'
↔️
Number of substitutions - Ayr take off Howley and bring on McKenzie Raith take off Gibson and Easton and bring on Stanton and Freeman
66'
Free kick Raith as Smith bundled to the ground at main stand side
66'
From freekick Mullin plays ball deep in Ayr box but it’s cleared
68'
Stevenson plays the ball low into the Ayr box but Stone gets down to collect
68'
⚽️
Ayr score- Dowds
70'
⚽️
Ayr score - Oakley
71'
From a Raith corner ball played to back post but ball goes out
74'
↔️
Raith sub off Mullin and bring on Vaughan
76'
Linking play between McKenzie and Reading play ends with McKenzie over kicking a feed ball into the Raith box - goalkick
77'
🟨
Booking for Dowds for a hefty challenge on Matthews
81'
A thundering shot comes in from Ayr resulting in a one handed save from Dabrowski
82'
↔️
Substitution from Raith off goes Jamieson and on comes Connolly Ayr sub off Rus and bring on Hastie
83'
Freeman with a high ball into the Ayr box but it doesn’t trouble Stone
84'
Hastie feeds the ball into the Raith box and it’s straight to the hands of Dabrowski
86'
↔️
Ayr sub off Henderson and bring on Walker
92'
Freekick Raith after a foul on Vaughan approx 35 yards out
93'
Corner Raith - ball played deep, Dabrowski joins in
94'
Ref blows for full time Ayr 3 (Dowds 48’, 69’) Raith 2 (Smith 11’, Easton 15’)