Ayr United thwarted by hero keeper, who draws praise from Albion Rovers boss

Albion Rovers boss Brian Reid praised debut keeper Cammy Binnie after his shoot-out heroics earned his side an extra point in their Premier Sports Cup opener against Championship side Ayr United.

Binnie made terrific saves to deny Sean McGinty and Tomi Adeloye as the sides couldn't be separated in a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes, and then stopped penalties from Michael Miller and Adeloye as Rovers ran out 4-2 winners to take the extra point.

Reid admits he was surprised when the 23-year-old left Stirling Albion in the summer and immediately snapped him up.

He said: "We were delighted to get Cammy in and I was surprised he became available in the summer.

"We were obviously in the market for a goalkeeper, and he's still very young, he's only 23, but when somebody with his experience became available and we could afford him it was a surprise.

"He was very keen to come, I liked his attitude and I'm delighted to get a goalkeeper of that stature in.

"Last season [Hearts loan keeper] Harry Stone was a hard act to follow, but Cammy certainly stood up to that and he was very good today, so I'm pleased for him."

Reid was pleased with the clean sheet and felt his side could have taken all three points from their Group E tie.

He said: "It was a tough game, we know Ayr United are a big strong team, a Championship team, and we expected a tough game.

Reid was delighted to snap Binnie up after the keeper left Stirling (Ben Kearney)

"I'm aware they're struggling a bit with injuries, but you've still got to go and try to win games.

"I'm delighted with the clean sheet, we could have won it at the end there with the chance that Charlie Reilly probably should score, and then our goalkeeper makes a good save from their chance.

"Overall I'm pleased to win it on penalty kicks. It was a tough game, but I enjoyed it.

"At this stage in the season you're always a bit ring-rusty and I think we'll improve as the season goes on, in terms of our game-play and attacking.

"But I was delighted with a clean sheet, because we're struggling at left-back.

Binnie produced a stunning save to deny Tomi Adeloye (Submitted/Ayrshire Post)

"I had young Adam Fernie in there, he was injured and I put Jamie Leslie there who's not a left-back, but I thought they did well."

Reid told his side to go out in the second half and make sure they went toe-to-toe with their higher league opposition.

"All you can ask for is a battling performance," said Reid.

"It's about working on your fitness as well, and keep working hard, but hopefully things improve as the season goes on.

"It was a good draw for us and winning on penalties is good."

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