It’s ‘Stalemate Saturday’ as battling County fight back in six-goal thriller at Ayr
The top two, Ayr United and Ross County, set the tone with a thrilling 3-3 draw on a day when no club moved up or down in the Ladbrokes Championship table. Unusually, all five matches in the division ended in stalemate.
County took the lead at Somerset Park after 12 minutes when Josh Mullin sliced a volley high into the net after being picked out by a Stelios Demetriou cross.
Ayr levelled 12 minutes later when Lawrence Shankland slotted in a penalty after Michael Rose had been barged by Ross Draper, and soughtafter Shankland then stuck out a boot to divert a Declan Mcdaid free-kick past Scott Fox on 25 minutes.
Ayr made it 3-1 just before the break in controversial circumstances with Andy Geggan forcing the ball in from close range whilst County defender Tom Grivosto lay face down on the sodden turf after a Mcdaid shot had cannoned off his head.
Dingwall co-manager Steven Ferguson was sent to the stand for his protests and things looked bleak for the visitors at the break. However, Ferguson was smiling on 48 minutes when Billy Mckay scored from the spot after he had been fouled by Stevie Bell.
As the excitement level rose and the temperature fell, Don Cowie smashed in a closerange equaliser with 38 minutes to go.
Ayr defender Liam Smith saw a great chance saved by the legs of Fox before both sides had to settle for a point.
“We played well, and I am not disappointed at only getting a point after being 3-1 ahead,” said Ayr manager Ian Mccall afterwards.
“The conditions were terrible, and they were against us in the second half so to not get beat, still be top of the league and have a game in hand means it has been a good day.”
Ferguson said: “It was a fantastic game. Being 3-1 down and getting back to 3-3 means that it is a positive point for us.”
Dundee United hit back to draw 1-1 at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, where Billy King cracked in with 14 minutes to go to cancel out Tom Walsh’s calm finish 18 minutes in.
Queen of the South and
Dunfermline ended goalless atpalmerston,withhomegoalkeeper Alan Martin shining in difficult conditions. There were also no goals as Falkirk played host to Morton.
Partick Thistle and Alloa completed the day of draws with a 2-2 tie at Firhill.
Kris Doolan slotted in a penalty to give the Jags an early lead. Kevin Cawley tapped in to level the score but Thistle led again at the break when Blair Spittal sent a shot hurtling into the net after his first attempt was blocked. Dario Zanatta ensured a share of the spoils with a second-half strike.