Arbroath 1
Ayr United 1
League (Championship)

Match Report

Nikolay Todorov's towering header earned Arbroath a deserved point against Ayr United in the opening match of the new Scottish Championship season.

When the sides met in the League Cup last month, Ayr secured a comfortable 4-0 victory at Somerset Park and Scott Brown's side would have fancied a similar result when captain Jamie Murphy fired them in front inside five minutes on the Angus coast.

The hosts failed to clear a corner and from a Scott McMann lay-off, Murphy whipped a powerful effort into the far corner.

However, Arbroath were unfazed by the early setback and brought themselves back into the contest slowly but surely.

Ryan Dow went close after being found unmarked by a precise Harry Cochrane cross and Gavin Reilly was only denied by a superb save from Ayr goalkeeper David Mitchell.

The pressure told late on though as Craig Watson kept the ball in play with a cross to the back post and Todorov climbed above Ayr defender Shaun Want to nod home.

The Bulgarian striker had only been on the pitch a matter of minutes, but made a telling impact with his first Arbroath goal.

Arbroath are next in action at Queen's Park on 9 August, while Ayr go to Raith Rovers on the same day.

What they said
Arbroath co-manager David Gold: "I did enjoy that, three points would have been better, but that would be really pernickety.

"Everyone worked so hard tonight and I thought over the piece that we were the better team.

"[Todorov] is probably disappointed he's not started tonight, but he certainly played his part tonight, that speaks a lot about his character."

Ayr United manager Scott Brown: "They played really well, they deserved more than a draw if I'm honest.

"We didn't work as hard as they did, we just thought if we scored first, it would be nice and easy for us.

"They keep going and get an opportunity late on in the game and individually we weren't good enough.

"We have to make sure that we're working harder."

Match report written by BBC