Bell tolls for Ross County's Scottish Cup dream with defeat at Ayr United
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Aye United 1 Ross County 0
Scorer - Steven Bell (36)
Steven Bell’s knockout blow left Ross County ringing in their ears as his goal sent Ayr United into the fifth round of the Scottish Cup.
The midfielder was left unchallenged to nod Stephen Kelly’s corner kick six yards into the net to put them into the hat for tomorrow’s draw.
The Championship outfit soaked up early pressure with Ross County creating most of the danger in the first half.
But the first real chance for County didn’t come for 20 minutes when Harry Paton sent a perfectly weighted ball for Lee Erwin who was onside and charged towards goal from 30 yards out. But his low drive was well blocked by goalkeeper Ross Doohan.
Erwin came close a minute later when he managed to get a head on Blair Spittal’s cross on the edge of the six-yard box but couldn’t guide the ball on target.
Paton and Erwin continued to cause problems in the Ayr defence throughout the first half but Doohan was able to comfortably handle any danger which headed towards goal from either player.
Ayr were rewarded when they broke the deadlock nine minutes before half time when Bell beat County’s defence in the air to nod Kelly’s corner kick into the net from six yards.
Ross County went close to levelling just before half time when Erwin managed to get a shot on goal from the edge of the box but Doohan saved well.
Ross County started the second half brightly when Josh Mullin threatened after connecting with Spittal’s cross but again Doohan gathered comfortably.
Billy Mckay went close to levelling the score when he beat the Ayr defence to Josh Mullin's cross from 10 yards out but nodded wide of the right post.
