Ayr United 3
Ross County 3
League (Championship)

Match Report

awrence Shankland scored twice as Championship leaders Ayr United and nearest rivals Ross County shared six goals in their top of the table clash.

County led through Josh Mullin's fine volley but Shankland netted a penalty and then finished from close range to take his season's tally to 28.

Andy Geggan increased Ayr's lead from six yards before Billy Mckay's penalty brought the visitors back into it.

They capped the recovery when Don Cowie put Mullin's cross into the top corner.

The draw saw Ayr maintain their one-point lead over County at the top, the Honest Men having a game in hand over the Dingwall side.

Mullin's terrific execution to open the scoring set the tone for a frantic match.

Ross Draper was judged to have pushed Michael Rose for Ayr to win their penalty, and Steven Bell was the guilty party when he sent Mckay tumbling for the visitors' spot-kick.

County mounted several fruitless attacks towards the end of the game, but Ayr's Liam Smith missed a golden chance to win it late on - but was denied by Scott Fox from six yards.

'Bizarrely, I'm satisfied' - reaction
Ayr United manager Ian McCall said: "Bizarrely enough, yes, satisfied. The game could've been out of sight in the first half, but we knew the weather was going to change and it certainly did.

"Ross County changed their tactics and I've got no issue with anybody going long ball stuff. They did that and caused us problems and I had to change things.

"We had the best chance of the second half with Liam Smith two or three yards out."

Ross County co-manager Steven Ferguson added: "When we go in at half-time 3-1 down against a rampant Ayr side, we're delighted to get ourselves back in that game. We had the weather in our favour second half.

"Josh Mullin assures me his goal was a screamer, so we'll go with that. It was a good pick out from Stelios and however he's managed to put it in the net, he's done it."

Match report written by BBC