Arbroath 1-1 Ayr United

N. Todorov 89′ , J. Murphy 5′

Arbroath and Ayr opened the championship season with a competitive 1-1 draw at Gayfield.

Despite the pre-match flag-raising celebrations for Arbroath, it was Ayr United who started the brighter of the two sides. Just five minutes in, Jamie Murphy opened the scoring with a fierce right-footed shot from the edge of the box.

Arbroath started slowly, but eventually sparked into life on the half-hour mark. Craig Watson’s attempt sailed over David Mitchell’s goal, and moments later, Scott Stewart couldn’t convert a close-range header from a Ryan Dow corner. Reilly also tested the Ayr net, but his shot lacked power.

A notable theme throughout the game was the intense physicality, with both teams engaging in numerous crunching tackles. Ayr United’s George Oakley was a constant presence and perhaps fortunate to escape with only a yellow card after an apparent forearm strike to the back of Craig Watson’s neck.

Ryan Dow had a golden opportunity to equalise but failed to direct a teasing ball from Harry Cochrane on goal. Further good play saw Scott Stewart pick out Marshall, whose reverse pass to the onrushing Wilkie could only find the side netting. Despite Ayr’s early dominance, Scott Brown’s side had plenty of work left to do.

Scott Brown made a tactical change at halftime, introducing Celtic loanee Kyle Ure for Dom Thomas. Another Ayr loanee, Jude Bonnar, had the first chance of the second half but couldn’t direct Curtis Main’s cross. Arbroath quickly responded with an opportunity of their own, as David Mitchell well saved Reilly’s close-range strike. The second half mirrored the end of the first, with Arbroath on top and Ayr struggling to regain control.

Around the 65-minute mark, Brown again adjusted his tactics, bringing on defensive signing Shaun Want for Curtis Main, who, despite scoring twice against Arbroath in the League Cup, couldn’t add to his tally in this match.

Arbroath’s persistence paid off in the 88th minute when super-sub Nikolay Todorov powered home a teasing cross from Craig Watson, sending the Gayfield faithful into raptures and levelling the score.

With five minutes of added time, the home support urged their team on for a winner. While they couldn’t find a second goal, Arbroath’s joint managers David Gold and Craig Hamilton can take significant encouragement from their side’s competitive performance against one of last season’s top Championship teams. Scott Brown’s Ayr United started brightly but will undoubtedly be disappointed with their inability to add to their lead.

Teams

Arbroath: McAdams Wilkie O’Brien Muirhead Flynn Reilly (Pettifer 90+3’) Dow Stewart Watson Marshall (Callachan 72’) Cochrane (Todorov 85’)

Bookings: Muirhead 42’ Stewart 60’

Ayr United: Mitchell McAllister Dick Oakley Main Thomas (Ure 46’) Murphy (Rus 70’) Bonnar (Walker 60’) McKenzie Watret (Hastie 70’) McMann

Bookings: Bonnar 44’ Oakley (45+3’)