Dumbarton 1 Ayr United 1

Last updated : 27 December 2004 By Footymad Previewer
Ayr United overcame the early blow of losing experienced goalkeeper Ludovic Roy to earn a point in a game dominated by the climactic conditions.

Indeed, had the Honest Men turned there wind-assisted second-half domination into goals they would have been heading home with a seasonal win bonus.

It was the home side who almost got off to a flyer when Iain Russell's cross found the head of Eddie Annand, but the former Ayr striker saw his header turned away by Roy.

The weather played its part as Ayr went in front after seven minutes. The Dumbarton defence all left a long punt to drift through to returning goalkeeper John Wight, only for the wind to hold the ball up allowing Paddy Connolly to nip in, round Wight, and run the ball into the empty net.

Within 90 seconds the Sons were level when Russell was on hand to sweep the ball past Roy after an Annand knock-down.

After 14 minutes a long clearance from Wight sent John Dillon clear only for him to accidentally catchy Roy as the keeper came out of his box to clear. Roy departed after lengthy treatment to be replaced by Paul Cherrie.

Sadly for the spectators the early excitement did not continue as neither side could get to grips with the conditions.

Paul Ronald fired a free-kick across the face of the goal for Dumbarton late in the first period while Ayr, despite having the bulk of the play after the break, were reduced to shooting from distance - Darren Henderson being out of luck on several occasions.

All in all a disappointing match which, despite much effort from the players of both teams, did little to dispel the December cold.