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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Stuart Wilson

Ayr United and Arbroath battle through storm to share the Somerset spoils

Lee Bullen hailed both Ayr and Arbroath for serving up a game worth watching in horrendous conditions.

Both sides settled for a share of the spoils as high winds and driving rain battered Somerset Park.

The game was reduced to a lottery in the midst of the storm, but Bullen reckons both teams still salvaged some pride from the contest.

He said: "Both sets of players deserve real credit for serving up an entertaining game on a pitch that could make you look really stupid.

"I thought we had done the hard work at half time.

"We created a couple of really good chances at the start of the second half but when the second goal didn't come, it allowed Arbroath to get back into it.

"The game could have gone anywhere when you look at the conditions so it's ended up being a big point for us and we move on.

"It's a game ticked off for us and I would rather have those in the bag for us at this stage.

"The neutral probably quite enjoyed it because of the amount of mistakes, and it was very difficult for defenders, but it's one we just have to take the point from."

A team of ground volunteers had worked through Friday and Saturday morning to get Somerset's sodden pitch playable.

But it soon became the wind causing more concern with ref Craig Napier and his officials granting a cautious thumbs up following their arrival at the ground.

Ayr had the conditions at their backs during a tough first half on the eye.

United slowly took control by using the wind to their advantage and Josh Mullin draw a smart stop from Derek Gaston.

The Arbroath keeper was struggling to send his goal kicks more than 30 yards as they dug in for half time.

But Ayr were able to force the breakthrough close to the interval when Jayden-Mitchell Lawson won a penalty when his mazy run was halted by David Gold.

After a long delay trying to spot the ball in the gale force winds, Ben Dempsey stepped up to fire home from 12 yards.

Furious Lichties boss Dick Campbell was sent to the stand shortly after as tempers boiled over on the visiting bench.

The change in ends gave Arbroath the wind at their backs but it was Ayr who almost doubled their lead when Mullin was denied by Gaston.

However, the game soon turned and Adarkwa fired home to level with a neat finish on the hour.

And Arbroath were quickly in front as a wind assisted cross from Yasin Ben El-Mhanni flew straight in with Charlie Albinson rooted to his line.

But Ayr refused to lie down and skipper Sean McGinty rescued a point with a bullet header from a Mullin corner as they made it 2-2.

Arbroath assistant Iain Campbell claimed: "We're disappointed not to win the game but the conditions were as bad as I've seen in a long time.

"I'm not sure how the referee allowed the game to start if I'm honest."

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