Stranraer played a young Ayr United side at Somerset Park today with a couple names familiar to the Honest Men supporters - Willie McCulloch and Lee Sharpe.

The Blues found themselves 1-0 down after only three minutes, but it was only a mater of time before the Blues equalised through Ian Harty. Harty ran clean through the United defense and luckily got the break of the ball as he rounded the goalkeeper and slotted into the empty net.

Just before the interval Michael Moore scored the second to put Stranraer in the lead with a nicely curled effort into the far corner of the net. A few minutes later he also had a header which hit the bar.

Stranraer continued taking the game to Ayr after the interval and were unlucky not to score a goal when ex-Motherwell striker John Fallon hit the bar with a lob volley.

Ian Harty added the third goal with a simple tap-in and John Fallon killed the match by forcing home a fourth goal after picking up a rebound off the post from a good Moore shot.

Ayr's young side got a second in the 76th minute to make the final score 2-4 to the visitors.

The teams will face each other in two week time in the first round of the Bells Challenge Cup.

Stranraer's lan Harty celebrates his first-half equaliser. © D.P.

Allan Jenkins heads the ball clear of danger after Willie McCulloch commits himself. © D.P.

Kevin Finlayson rushes down the left wing and into the Ayr box to setup Stranraer's forwards . © D.P.

Ex-Ayr United defender/midfielder Lee Sharpe on the ball for the Blues (Oranges!). © D.P.

Attendance: TBA