Dunfermline Athletic 1 Ayr United 1

AN INNOCUOUS sending off and two missed penalties in as many minutes meant gaining any points against Ayr United was going to be a tough job for Dunfermline.

After dominating the first half and finishing a goal up after the first 45 minutes, the game changed direction just after the break when Lewis Martin was given a second yellow for what seemed a tame challenge in the box.

After an Ayr equaliser from the resulting penalty, two more missed penalties at home left Pars feeling like they had been robbed of victory.

Allan Johnston made four changes to his starting line up from last weekend's cup win.

Jason Talbot, Farid El Alagui, Kallum Higginbotham and John Herron all started with Connor Duthie, Nat Wedderburn, Michael Moffat and Michael Paton all taking a place on the subs bench.

The game started brightly and Pars were on the attack just after the five minute mark when Nicky Clark took control of a long ball but failed to cause any danger for the Ayr keeper.

A minute later, Higginbotham got the ball from a McCabe free kick and whacked the ball towards goal however his effort was put round the post for a corner.

Some dazzling skill from Paul McMullan won another corner however the Ayr keeper safely gathered the ball this time.

The deadlock was broken after 29 minutes after great work from Higginbotham. He held the ball up in the middle of the park before putting through a great ball to Martin. He put in a cross which Nickly Clarke blasted in from close range.

There wasn't a long wait for action in the second half however it was Ayr United who were celebrating less than five minutes after the restart.

A harmless looking ball went into the box and Pars fans were left bewildered when referee Barry Cook blew for a penalty.

The offender was Lewis Martin for an apparent challenge on Scott McKenna. Martin immediately was given a yellow card which, after a little delay, turned into a red when the referee realised he had been booked in the first half.

Alan Forrest slotted the ball low to the right of Sean Murdoch to bring the game level.

El Alagui was brought off for Connor Duthie to help balance the defence and the goal and the one-man advantage was immediately reflected in the visitors' performance.

They looked dominant and a run from Harkins in the 56th minute resulted in his long range shot going over the bar.

Harkins had another chance four minutes later but Murdoch produced a great block to avert the danger.

Paul McMullen looked bright in the 65 th minute and he skipped past a couple of defenders however his effort was parried by keeper Greg Fleming.

Some more fancy footwork by McMullen won Dunfermline a corner which produced a goalmouth scramble. After a couple of clearances, McMullen appeared to be brought down and was awarded a penalty.

Higginbotham had his penalty saved well by the Dunfermline-born keeper Greg Fleming but didn't have to wait too long to have another go.

Within a minute, he was brought down in the box and stepped up again as spot kick taker.

His well-struck effort was saved well by Fleming again to leave Higginbotham in despair.

Pars: Murdoch, Talbot, Martin, Ashcroft, Herron, Fordyce, McCabe, Clark (Moffat), El Alagui (Duthie), McMullan, Higginbotham.

Subs not used: Hutton, Wedderburn, Paton, Cardle, Spence.

Booked: Martin, Higginbotham Sent off: Martin Ayr United: Fleming, Devlin, Boyle, Crawford, Forrest, Harkins, Adams (Gilmour), Nisbett (O'Connell), Balatoni, Docherty, McKenna.

Subs not used: Hart, Rose, Meggatt, Wardrope, Donald.

Booked: Forrest, Docherty.

Referee: Barry Cook Attendance: 3250