It was a case of squad gains for Ayr United at Hamilton as Lee Bullen's bench came to the rescue for the Honest Men.
Debut boy Sam Ashford led a second-half surge as Ayr hit back to claim a vital point following Kai Kennedy's early opener.
Ronan Hughes' missed penalty just before the break proved a pivotal moment as Accies failed to hammer home their advantage.
And a flurry of Ayr's fresh faces did the trick as Ashford climbed off the bench to ram home a fine finish just just hours after signing on the dotted line at Somerset.
Here are some of the key things we learned on a big day in Lanarkshire:
1. Squad depth improving at Somerset Park
For much of this season, Ayr's team has pretty much named itself.
But new boss Bullen has already admitted each week is a learning process for him as he seeks to find his favoured XI.
Today his bench proved worth its weight in gold with some hefty contributions from substitutes Sam Ashford and James Maxwell helping to turn the tide and dig United out of trouble.
Ayr now have real competition for places with three new faces in the door so far this January, and the promise of more to follow.
The squad's imbalanced look was one of Bullen's main tasks to address when he arrived in the hot seat, and it looks like early progress is being made in that regard.
The head coach is now sure to have plenty of food for thought ahead of Tuesday's trip to Partick.
2. Super Sam makes a bright start
Ayr's new striker only got clearance to take his place in the match squad a matter of hours before kick off.
But he grabbed his chance with both hands when stepping off the bench to fire the leveller.
And the former Crawley man was unlucky not to bag a late winner with another chance which went astray.
Ashford offered Ayr a good outlet and looked a clever player with an eye for goal during his cameo role, which has already gone some way to repaying the faith of boss Bullen and United's recruitment team for bringing him north.
Ayr's management team will hope for plenty more of the same between now and the end of the season.
3. Learning game for Bully
United's new head coach has been frank about the lessons being learned as he negotiates his first weeks in the job.
And plenty more will have been noted by the new gaffer on an afternoon when Ayr struggled to get going for an hour before coming good to finish on top.
Bullen named an attacking line-up with wingers Ryan Gondoh and Daire O'Connor asked to get up in support of Tomi Adeloye.
But when United lost a cheap seventh minute goal, they were immediately chasing the game and had to hang in through some tough moments before finally getting their rewards.
Bullen will know Ayr have to start games better – an Achilles heel of the team all season – but at least he saw the right kind of character from his squad to keep going today.
4. Maxwell looks a touch of class
Once again, James Maxwell had a big impact for Ayr despite starting on the bench today.
The on loan Rangers man has never once started in his natural position at United, such is the form of first choice left-back Paddy Reading.
And that has meant Maxwell having to play a utlility role for the Somerset, while still being one of the team's better performers.
He and Ashford linked to great effect after coming off the bench and, along with fellow sub Mark McKenzie, introduced real energy in the final third for United.
But it was Maxwell's running power and ability to commit players that really drew the eye and had Hamilton worried as the clock ticked down.
5. Super Ayr fans can play vital part
At time up, Bullen marched on to the park and immediately ordered his players down to the away end to salute the travelling support.
Their vocal backing had struck a chord with the boss, who afterwards hailed the growing reconnection between the club and its fanbase.
And there can be no doubt that from here on in, United's support has the ability to play a crucial part in the battle against the drop.
Bullen knows the value of harnessing the club's supporters behind the cause, and the togetherness shown between fans and players at time up was heartening.
With every point a prisoner, plenty more of that bond will go a long way between now and the end of the season.
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