AYR UNITED 1
Muirhead (72) RAITH ROVERS 1
Benedictus (57)
Skipper Kyle Benedictus ended Raith’s three-game scoring famine, but Aaron Muirhead’s equaliser denied the visitors the chance to go clear in second.
Rovers are now locked alongside Dunfermline and Dundee on 30 points, but boss John McGlynn insists they have the staying power to take the promotion fight to the wire.
He said: “We’ve been in the play-off position all season, so we want to stay there.
“It was a captain performance right through from Kyle and he was an inspiration. He led by example.
“A point at Ayr is OK, but because we were in front we felt we deserved all three.”
David Hopkin, making his home bow as Ayr boss, kept new loan signing Jamie Barjonas from Rangers on the bench as he stuck closely to the team which beat Dundee 3-1 at Dens on Tuesday.
Mark McKenzie, the two-goal hero of that victory, had the game’s first chance, but his header from Cammy Smith’s cross was an easy save for Jamie MacDonald.
Lewis Vaughan tried to get Raith going with a shot on the turn that was too high.
Luke McCowan had the ball in the net for Ayr after 27 minutes, but he was offside.
Vaughan was a livewire for the visitors and, when he looked to have found space in the box, he was foiled by a great block from Jack Baird.
The last chance of an even first half fell to Ayr, but Muirhead’s low drive flew past.
Jamie Gullan had a shot deflected wide before Franie Musonda headed over as Raith started the second period well.
They were rewarded after 57 minutes when Benedictus rose unchallenged at the back post to head home a perfect corner from Dan Armstrong.
The equaliser cam on 72 minutes when Muirhead pounced on a loose ball in the box to drive Ayr level.
Hopkin was delighted with Ayr’s fightback, and claimed: “We’ve played three of the top four teams in the last week and taken four points, so I have to be happy.
“I thought the longer the game went we had the better chances. The players now have a bit of belief about themselves and the three subs who came on all contributed.
“Performances may have to wait until next season, it’s all about remaining in this league. We knew it was always going to be tough but I was delighted with the character we showed.”