AYR UNITED 2 El Alagui (45), Crawford (51) DUMBARTON 1 Thomson (21)

AYR came from behind with goals from Farid El Alagui and Robbie Crawford on either side of the interval to give their Championship safety hopes a big boost.

Dumbarton, who took an early lead through Robert Thomson, had Garry Fleming sent off with 13 minutes to go.

But it took two great saves by Greg Fleming from Robert Thomson and Gregor Buchanan to deny the Sons an equaliser as they finished the game strongly.

Ayr boss Ian McCall admitted: “We shouldn’t have had to rely on Greg for the late saves and should have had the game wrapped up before then.”

Dumbarton took the lead on the counter attack after 21 minutes when a quick break by Lewis Vaughan set up Thomson who swept home a low shot.

Ayr equalised with the last touch of the first-half. El Alagui saw a header touched on to the bar by Alan Martin but the striker reacted

quickest to knock home the loose ball. That gave United a timely boost and six minutes after the break, Crawford drove into the box and finished well to turn the game in the home team’s favour.

Alan Forrest spurned a great chance to give Ayr a cushion when he sprinted clear from the halfway line with two Sons defenders in hot pursuit.

But keeper Martin dashed off his line to smother his parting shot.

Dumbarton’s chances of salvaging the game took a dent when sub Fleming was sent off for a clumsy challenge on Ross Docherty, only six minutes after coming off the bench.

However, it took great saves from Fleming to deny Thomson and Gregor Buchanan as the 10-man visitors finished strongly in their search for a point.

Sons boss Stevie Aitken claimed: “I’m disappointed but not too disheartened. It’s now a six-game season and we’re right in the mix.

“We had two of the best chances to win the game but their keeper made two great saves.”