GEORGE Oakley’s first goal in eight games earned Ayr a hard fought point as the former Morton striker enjoyed a fruitful return to his old stomping ground.
Oakley’s first time finish just after the interval ensured Scott Brown’s side dug deep to recover and share the spoils after falling behind to Iain Wilson’s opener before half time.
But neither side could go on to force a winner in front of the TV cameras as United missed the chance to leapfrog Livingston in second place.
Ayr suffered a huge blow before a ball had been kicked when Jamie Murphy – one of five changes to the starting line-up – limped out of the warm up with a calf strain.
Ryan Howley stepped up from the bench as a last minute replacement with Nick McAllister, Frankie Musonda, Marco Rus and Jay Henderson also coming in after last week’s defeat at Raith.
A quiet first half lacked much in the way of goalmouth action in the early going with a George Stanger header as close as Ayr came to troubling the scoresheet.
Morton, for their part, showed plenty of industry and Arron Lyle curled just wide on the half hour as they looked to show some threat.
Then the game suddenly burst to life as half time approached. Ayr were livid at the award of a free kick against Howley, who appeared to win the ball ahead of Morton skipper Grant Gillespie.
From the resultant set piece, Morgan Boyes’ ball into the box was met by Kirk Broadfoot and the knockdown was poked home by Iain Wilson from eight yards with Ayr’s defending leaving something to be desired.
United needed a response at the interval and they quickly got it with a leveller just after the break. A brilliant free kick from the right by Henderson was met by Oakley whose flush first time finish flew past Lewis Budinauckas in the home goal.
Ayr had to stand firm at the other end as ‘Ton tried for a quick reply and Russell saved from Filip Stuparevic who met a Michael Garrity free kick with a close range header.
Brown sent on Mark McKenzie for Howley early in the second half as Ayr began to take something of a grip on the midfield, but they couldn’t turn their possession into more meaningful chances in front of goal.
Lyall banged a shot over the top from distance as Morton tried for the spectacular at the other end, but both sides were frustrated in their attempts to test either keeper as the clock wound down.
Ayr almost found a way through near the death when the ball found its way to sub Alfie Bavidge just inside the box but his effort was saved low by Budinauckas, leaving both sides to settle for a point apiece.