Scott Brown hails defensive effort as Ayr take first-leg play-off lead

Ayr manager Scott Brown was thrilled with his side’s defensive display as the Honest Men seized the initiative in the Premiership play-off quarter-final.

Jamie Murphy grabbed the only goal of the game 10 minutes into the second half, heading home from Connor McLennan’s sublime delivery.

Chances were few and far between during an encounter littered with stoppages.

The Somerset Park side have now kept back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since January — something Brown is determined to continue in Friday evening’s second leg.

“It’s half-time, anything can happen at half-time,” Brown said.

“We had to make sure we were solid behind the ball and I thought our back five defended really well. There was purpose in the defending and they really enjoyed the challenge.

“I thought we won the battle in the middle of the park. Keeping a clean sheet, that’s two in a row and we need to carry on that momentum.”

Brown was full of praise for Murphy after the 35-year-old combined with his fellow winger to great effect for a rare headed goal to silence the home crowd.

“I’m not sure Jamie has scored many headers in his whole career,” Brown added.

“He’s a fantastic player for us and a great example for the younger players. Whether he plays as a 10 or as a winger, he wants to score a goal.”

Thistle interim co-manager Brian Graham was frustrated at the stop-start nature of proceedings at Firhill.

Graham, one of five Jags players booked, believes referee David Dickinson failed to let the game flow.

“As a player you want the game to flow,” he said. “I did say that to him, ‘gonnae let the game flow and stop blowing your whistle?’

“It’s a massive game, a play-off quarter-final and you want it to be played at a good tempo — we couldn’t get to a good tempo because it was stopping every two minutes.”

Despite trailing going into the away leg at Somerset Park, Graham remains confident his side can overturn the deficit.

In recent weeks, Thistle have demonstrated their ability to win the games that matter — clinching a play-off spot with victories in their final two league games.

Graham added: “Nothing is done yet – we can’t play any worse than that, that’s for sure.

“The mindset has got to be positive, it’s only 1-0 and come Friday we need to be better, it’s as simple as that. Hopefully the game will have more of a flow to it.

“They had one big chance in the second half and they scored it.”