Matches all across Scotland had been postponed the day before but The Oval in Prestwick was perfectly playable. It was also our first game on a grass park since our second ever match, against IBM in Largs. The only problem was a strong wind which we thought we should keep at our backs in the first half, in the hope of having a half-time lead which we could then try to defend.

Chances were few and far between in an evenly-balanced first half, with several wild shots sailing off into the distance. The wind made it difficult for Ayr's keeper to get much distance on his goal kicks, although we were unable to capitalise. Ayr took the lead midway through when a cross from the left wing found Peter Noble, who chipped the ball over Stevie Walker. We equalised about ten minutes later when new boy Charlie Kirkwood sent in a perfect cross from the right wing for Adam Nelson to nod into the net. Ayr's keeper got a touch but couldn't keep the ball out.

Having failed to take advantage of the wind, our only hope seemed to be to hold out for a draw. We made a major tactical switch at the break, opting to put Stevie Walker into central defence and Stu Thomas in goal, giving us five at the back and leaving Charlie Kirkwood on his own up front.

The second half was almost completely dominated by Ayr, who would pick the ball up at the halfway line, play it forward, and shoot from outside our penalty box. Time and time again the ball sailed past the post and had to be retrieved from the car park behind the pavilion. Ayr kept up the pressure and at one point the ball was twice played across a crowded goalmouth but nobody was able to stab it home. Thomas had no trouble dealing with the shots they did get on target, although at one point they were unlucky to clip the outside of the post. During this period we had one real chance, when Kirkwood dribbled his way through the Ayr defence, but their keeper was able to smother his shot.

With about 15 minutes left, Stuart Deans attempted to clear a ball at waist height from the edge of the box but instead managed to catch an opponent in the stomach, and both tumbled to the ground. One of the Ayr players took exception to this and it looked as if he was trying to lift Deans off the ground by his feet, but he was restrained by his team-mates. The referee - one of Ayr's substitutes - had no choice but to send him off. The victim of the foul was unharmed and Ayr's free-kick came to nothing.

With about a minute left, just when it looked like we might hold out for a draw, Gerry Nicol took the ball down the right wing and crossed it into the six-yard box. Ayr's keeper missed it, and Charlie Kirkwood nodded it into the empty net. Shortly afterwards, the referee blew for full time to give us an unlikely victory.

Squad: Walker S; Deans, Anderson, Mulrine, McIntosh; Nelson, Nicol, Donnelly, Trialist; Kirkwood, Thomas.