Kevin Holt scored a contentious late equaliser to cancel out Findlay Marshall’s opener as Arbroath were made to settle for a point at Somerset Park.
The Lichties looked destined to return to winning ways after Marshall’s clinical finish in the first half, but Holt’s goal was allowed to stand despite huge claims for a push on Thomas O’Brien, meaning the sides drew 1-1 for the second time this season.
With a number of players nursing knocks and Taylor Steven away with the Scotland under-21 side, Arbroath made four changes to the side that lost to Morton last weekend.
Scott Stewart, Aaron Muirhead and Gavin Reilly were the others to drop out, with Craig Watson, Brooklyn Kabongolo, Ryan Dow and Dapo Mebude coming into the starting lineup. Jordan Pettigrew was also missing with a foot injury, meaning Grant Tamosevicius took his place on the bench, having joined late in the week on a seven-day emergency loan from St Mirren.
Ayr began brightly in possession, but it was Arbroath who moved in front after just 12 minutes. Marshall was alert to intercept a slack pass from Stuart Bannigan, before cutting inside and firing a low left footed shot beyond the reach of David Mitchell.
The hosts were very slack in possession in the first half, presenting Arbroath with opportunities thanks to their high press, with Mebude twice denied by Mitchell after Ayr had given the ball away under pressure.
Ethan Walker did try to threaten at the other end in a rare Ayr attack after being gifted the ball by Aidan McAdams, but his shot was easily held by the Lichties ‘keeper.
The home fans were irate both with the officials and their side’s first half performance and were almost left reeling further on the stroke of half time after a quick Arbroath break, with Dow curling an effort inches past Mitchell’s far post.
Both sides had good chances to find the net in an action-packed start to the second half as they went in search of that all important second goal. Ayr were first to threaten when Jamie Murphy sent a curling shot towards the far corner which would have found the net but for a diving O’Brien header to divert it round the post.
Arbroath then went close down at the other end after a quick break involving a number of players looked to have fizzled out, but Dow soon found space in the area and was only denied by sharp reflexes from Mitchell.
It was the home side with most of the play as the second half progressed, but by failing to create any clear cut chances they were leaving themselves susceptible to the counter and really should have fallen two behind when substitute Gavin Reilly sent Marshall in on goal, with the on-loan Aberdeen man only able to fire the ball over the bar.
In truth, the hosts didn’t look like finding an equaliser despite their control of the ball, but they would find themselves level with just three minutes remaining, in controversial circumstances.
Anton Dowds chased a long ball forward in the corner and despite claims of a push on O’Brien, play was waved on allowing the forward to rush into the box and square for Holt to slam home to earn the Honest Men a share of the spoils.
Ayr United: Mitchell; McMann, Holt, Dick; McKenzie, Bonnar (Dowds, 67), Bannigan (Dempsey, 56), Rus; Murphy; Main (Want, 56), Walker
Arbroath: McAdams; Watson, Kabongolo, O’Brien, Wilkie; Cochrane (Pettifer, 86), Flynn; MacIntyre, Marshall, Dow (Hamilton, 90); Mebude (Reilly, 61)
Attendance: 2,019 (131 Arbroath)
