AYR UNITED 2

Akinyemi (29), Kirk (37) COVE RANGERS 2 Scully (31), McDonagh (52)

Ayr twice threw away the lead as Cove earned only their second point on the road thanks to goals from Connor Scully and Gerry McDonagh.

Dipo Akinyemi, with his 11th of the season, and a first from Arsenal loanee Alex Kirk had the Honest Men looking good but the visitors battled back for a deserved draw to delight boss Jim McIntyre.

He said: “It was like a game of basketball at times but we showed great resilience to come back after losing our last two games.

“We could have thought that things weren’t going our way.

“I told the players at half-time not to panic as we played some great stuff. It was great for Gerry to get the equaliser as he has been a model pro for us and bided his time.”

Cove started brightly with Luis Longstaff forcing Charlie Albinson into a fine save and Mitch Megginson scuffing his shot with only the keeper to beat.

They were punished when Ayr took the lead in 29 minutes.

Akinyemi pounced from close range after a rocket shot from Logan Chalmers wasn’t held by Kyle Gourlay.

Cove took only two minutes to reply when a diving header from Blair Yule was well saved by Albinson only for Scully to follow up.

Ayr regained the lead eight minutes before the interval when Chalmers swept over a corner and Kirk rose above the Cove defence to power in a header.

Having broken his scoring duck,

Kirk had an eye for more and he strode forward before unleashing a fierce shot that Gourlay was alert to tip over.

Ayr couldn’t hold the lead and seven minutes after the restart McDonagh slid home the equaliser after Longstaff and Megginson combined to set him up.

It took a great save from Albinson to deny Megginson the winner after he drilled the ball towards the bottom corner.

Ayr boss Lee Bullen said: “We started lethargically but the second half was a lot better.

“To be twice ahead at home and not win means we have to be better.

“We should have been walking away with three points but then could have lost it but for a good save from Charlie.

“We have a quick turnaround on Tuesday with a game against Partick and the chance to go top of the table.”