Ayr United have been left with a play-off mountain to climb after a bruising night in Glasgow saw them picked apart by Partick Thistle.Two goals from Brian Graham and another from Jack McMillan were a fair reflection of the Jags' dominance in a first leg in which Ayr struggled to cope with the hosts' attacking play down both flanks.A night which began with the news that top scorer Dipo Akinyemi had failed to make the starting line-up due to a back injury sustained in training proved to get tougher from then on for The Honest Men.

Mark McKenzie, goal hero of the win at Inverness, got the nod to lead the line and Ayr did make a bright start with Chris Maguire drawing a brilliant fingertip save from David Mitchell.Ayr's travelling support of more than 2,000 fans - who sold out the Colin Weir Stand - helped to ensure a cracking atmosphere inside Firhill as more than 7,000 turned out for this one.On the pitch, Charlie Albinson had to be equally alert at the other end to deny Scott Tiffoney as both sides traded early chances but it was Thistle who then took a grip of the contest by hitting the front.

Steven Lawless drove down Ayr's left hand side and was able to play in full back McMillan who strode on to Albinson before firing home a low finish.Ayr could have been further behind shortly after as a mix-up involving Albinson and his defence allowed Graham an effort on goal which sailed just over.

And the veteran striker had his head in his hands when scooping wide of an open net from just two yards after being teed up by Aidan Fitzpatrick.United made it to the break with no further damage done but they were immediately back under pressure after the restart as Fitzpatrick thundered a shot off the bar from the edge of the box.

Ayr United given Premiership play-off mountain to climb as Partick Thistle dominate first leg in Glasgow

Related News