DUNFERMLINE 2
Cole (79), Todorov (86) AYR UNITED 1 Muirhead (35, pen)
Dunfermline manager John Hughes praised his players for their character as they staged a late fightback to emerge victorious over Ayr United.
The two sides are now level on both points and goal difference as they battle to avoid the relegation play-offs.
“Its going to go to the wire now,” acknowledged Hughes. “We got out of jail a bit but I’m really pleased with the character the players showed.
“Sometimes you just have to win ugly and that’s how it was today.”
With so much at stake in this game, it was inevitable that both sides would be anxious to secure the comfort of an early goal and it was Dunfermline who threatened first, with Kevin O’hara chasing a well-placed through-ball from skipper Steven Lawless only to be denied by outrushing Ayr keeper Aidan Mcadams.
The drama then moved to the other end of the pitch when a corner from Ayr midfielder Kerr Mcinroy was met by a powerful header from Sam Ashford. However, the striker’s effort was cleared off the goal line by Matt Todd.
Ayr began to look the hungrier side as the first half progressed with the pace of Tomi Adeloye causing problems among the Pars defenders and the former Barnet frontman came close to breaking the deadlock in the 17th minute, when his close-range effort was blocked by home keeper Jakub Stolarczyk.
The visitors edged ahead 10 minutes from the break, with referee Colin Steven pointing to the penalty spot after Adeloye had been tripped by Coll Donaldson. Up stepped Aaron Muirhead to make an immaculate job of converting the award.
Ayr looked to be comfortable as they held on to their narrow lead for most of the second period.
However, they were stunned with a late one-two from the home side.
Firstly when Dunfermline substitute Reece Cole equalised 11 minutes from time with a superbly struck, 20-yard free kick and again when Nikolai Todorov drove home the winner with a low shot with less than five minutes left on the clock.
“I’m absolutely gutted,” reflected Ayr United boss Lee Bullen. “We were totally dominant up to the 79th minute and should have been three or four goals ahead.”