Ayr United come from behind to deny Inverness Caledonian Thistle win in Championship
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Ayr United 2 (Chalmers, Reading)
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2 (Welsh, Gardyne)
Inverness Caledonian Thistle came away from Ayr United with another point to add to their tally in the Championship in tricky conditions.
With strong winds and heavy rain at times at Somerset Park, ICT took the lead through Sean Welsh only for Joe Chalmers to immediately equalise, before Michael Gardyne gave them the advantage going into half time.
A second half strike from Patrick Reading ensured that the hosts would not suffer defeat in front of their own fans though, as the spoils were shared at the full time whistle.
Each side seemed to need a few minutes to get used to the strong wind at Somerset Park, which Inverness were kicking into for the first half.
Many a time they saw high balls forward or goal kicks hold up and fall 10 yards short of where they expected it to, while Ayr often found through balls running out of play or through to Mark Ridgers.
It was the visitors who found their footing more quickly though, producing the first proper chance of the game.
Michael Gardyne got the ball down and drove at his full back down the left flank, working the space to float a cross in towards the back post where Billy Mckay's header was only stopped from going in by a great save from Aidan McAdams, with Aaron Doran narrowly hitting over the bar on the follow-up.
Two minutes later though, a near repeat of that chance saw the Caley Jags take the lead, with Sean Welsh this time left with a free header to nod Inverness ahead.
The lead did not last long however, as Ayr United practically went up the other end and equalised immediately. It came from a corner kick which Joe Chalmers connected with to net – although Billy Dodds may feel aggrieved that wrestling inside the box went unpunished.
Ayr generally seemed quite happy to sit off Inverness and try and move the ball quickly on the counter attack to threaten Ridgers, but their hesitancy in the middle of the park proved costly in the 26th minute.
Scott Allardice was the man who broke the midfield line, driving at Ayr's defence before spreading the ball out wide to Gardyne.
He attempted to cross for Mckay in the middle, but the ball in was deceptive and went past the Northern Irishman and McAdams and into the net.
ICT ended the first half on the front foot with Aaron Doran going closest to extending their lead directly from a free kick, which went just wide, but they faced the prospect of having the wind at their backs for the second half.
It may not have been wind-assisted, but Ayr did draw level for a second time six minutes after the restart in what was a very open stretch of play.
The ball got switched across to left back Patrick Reading, who was allowed plenty of space and time to take a touch just outside the box, and he picked out the bottom corner from 20 yards out.
Inverness did come close to a quick response themselves when Gardyne hooked the ball back towards goal from a tight angle, but McAdams was able to stop it on the line.
Ayr showed far more urgency to win the ball back in the second half, pressing the visitors well, but there were still chances being created by both sides.
Tom Walsh forced yet another save out of McAdams with a volley towards the Ayr keeper's near post, before Ridgers was forced to respond in kind to deny Jonathan Afolabi.
Both teams made attacking substitutions with the intent of trying to go and win the game, and Mark McKenzie may have thought he did exactly that for Ayr when he smashed the ball just over the bar from a tight angle.
It was not to be though, as Caley Thistle came away with the points after another draw in the Championship.
Ayr United: 1. Aidan McAdams, 3. Patrick Reading, 6. Andy Murdoch, 9. Tomi Adeloye, 14. James Maxwell, 15. Jack Baird, 17. Nick McAllister, 18. Joe Chalmers, 22. Mark McKenzie, 23. Markus Fjortoft, 24. Jonathan Afolabi.
Substitutes: 21. Charlie Albinson, 2. Jordan Houston, 5. Sean McGinty, 7. Michael Moffat, 10. Daire O'Connor, 11. Cameron Salkeld, 25. Finn Ecrepont.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle: 1. Mark Ridgers, 2. Wallace Duffy, 4. Sean Welsh, 5. Robbie Deas, 6. Danny Devine, 7. Michael Gardyne, 9. Billy Mckay, 10. Aaron Doran, 14. Tom Walsh, 15. Kirk Broadfoot, 18. Scott Allardice.
Substitutes: 21. Cameron MacKay, 2. Cameron Harper, 12. Roddy MacGregor, 16. Lewis Jamieson, 17. Anthony McDonald, 19. Manny Duku, 23. Reece McAlear.
