Jul 29 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed) KEVIN CUTHBERT put up the shutters to restrict Manchester United to a single goal. But the keeper was kicking himself that he couldn't keep a clean sheet against the classy Reds kids. Calvin Ayre named him Ayr's man of the match but that was scant consolation to the dedicated pro. Cuthbert said: "Some of their youngsters are probably worth £5 million but there is no pride in losing 1-0 to anyone. "I'm disappointed we didn't take our chances and we had one or two in the first-half. "I'm happy with the way the pre-season has gone and feel the signs look good." With Bodog founder Ayre looking on from the directors' box, Ayr gave a good account against a team which included Darron Gibson and Tomasz Kuszczak, who have both played in the first team. The side was also sprinkled with talented youngsters who are next on the never ending Old Trafford conveyor belt. Afterwards, Calvin, whose name was chanted by fans, said: "It was fun. I think the new shirts are some of the best I've seen anywhere in the world." England under 21 star Danny Drinkwater hit the post early on but Ayr also had their chances in an entertaining game watched by a sunshine 2876 crowd. Michael Moffat was twice through on goal but each time was denied by great tackles from the back tracking Ezekiel Fryers. Will Keane had a goal chalked off for offside while it took a great save from Cuthbert to foil Drinkwater. Ayr held them at bay until 54 minutes when Northern Ireland under 21 midfielder Oliver Norwood hooked a 25 yarder in the top corner. Ayr gave seven subs a run and teenager Roddy Paterson went close to a glory equaliser with a shot that flew across the face of goal with Kuszczak scrambling across his line. The Man Utd kids, who beat Spartans 7-1 on Sunday, knocked the ball around with some delightful passing but Ayr didn't let them get a killer second goal. Boss Brian Reid said: "It was an enjoyable night and a decent workout but I'm disappointed to lose. "We had a couple of chances in the first-half which we didn't take but maybe fatigue caught up with us. We played 120 minutes on Saturday and some of the boys were working today. "Man Utd keep the ball well but early on we showed them too much respect. We had a couple of chances in the first-half and it was an enjoyable night for everybody. “It took a great finish to beat us. I thought the back four looked solid. “It was a great experience for the boys to play Manchester United and we’ll learn from it.” AYR: Cuthbert; J. Robertson (Donnelly 82), Malone, Smith, Campbell (Armstrong 54), Geggan (R. Robertson 68), Trouten (Hart 75), Burke (Tiffoney 61), Moffat (Paterson 68), Roberts (Wardlaw 76), McGowan (Shankland 75). MANCHESTER UTD: Kuszczak; M. Keane, McGinty, Norwood, Thorpe (Cole 15, Givern 87), Fryers, Drinkwater, Gibson, W. Keane (Fornasier 75), Pogba, Petrucci (Lingard 52). Referee: Charlie Richmond; Crowd: 2876.