It’s a Hazard WARNING
Dundee stopper denies Ayr points
AYR UNITED .......................................... 0 DUNDEE................................................. 0
Stuart Wilson at Somerset Park
Frustrated Ayr were left to rue what might have been as a second half penalty miss ensured Dundee escaped Somerset intact.
On a day when quality football was at a premium, chances like Aaron Muirhead’s from the spot were always going to be few and far between.
In fairness to the big centre half, pitched into midfield during Ayr’s two tussles with either half of the Dundee divide, he did little wrong with his effort.
But an inspired save from Dundee stopper Conor Hazard meant Ayr, who were the better in a tousy affair, had to make do with their second goalless draw at Somerset in a week.
Much like the draw with Dundee United just a few nights before, Ayr were always the more anxious to be on the front foot.
And had Alan Forrest’s early chance gone in – his glanced effort from Aaron Drinan’s cross flew agonisingly wide – then this contest may have opened up.
But as it was, both sides laboured for much of a drab affair to create anything in the way of clearcut openings.
Michael Moffat did find space in the box midway through the first half and probably should have done more than send his header straight at Hazard.
But that rather summed up Ayr’s lack of edge in front of goal in recent times.
At the other end, Jordan McGhee wriggled clear from an angle and curled in an effort which was deflected on to the Ayr post.
Reminder, scant though it was, that the Dark Blues were always likely to carry a threat.
Ayr thought they had the lead early in the second half when Moffat touched home but up went the linesman’s flag.
Then came the key moment when the same man was hauled down in the box by Cammy Kerr, only for Muirhead’s spot kick to be met with a top save.
Ayr boss Mark Kerr said: “I felt we did enough to win the game.
“We were comfortable and asked them questions.”
Dens boss James McPake said: ““It was a difficult day with the conditions and there wasn’t much football played.
“It was a great save from Conor and we showed a real desire not to concede.”