QUEENS HOLD ON FOR POINT AT SOMERSET
Nobody was left under any illusion that these sides will be fighting to stave off relegation for the rest of the season.
An inspirational substitution 11 minutes from time by Ayr boss Brian Reid, when he threw on Michael Moffat, may well have rescued his side’s season, when they appeared to be heading for defeat.
Queens took the lead 14 minutes from time when substitute Nicky Clark swung a corner over from the right, Stephen Simmons fired the ball through and Scott McLaughlin rammed home from close-in at the second attempt after Kevin Cuthbert saved the first.
Moffat’s introduction was effective and clinical when he ran on to a Mark Roberts pass five minutes from time to drill the ball low past Cuthbert and snatch a point.
Ayr’s hopes of improving on a home record which has seen them fail to win on their own patch since September were hampered when new on-loan signing from St Johnstone, striker Sean Higgins, limped off after just seven minutes.
His replacement, the veteran Roberts, almost made a stunning entrance when he lashed a low 18-yard drive just wide after 15 minutes, but it was another substitute who was to steal the show.
QUEENS HELD ON FOR A DESERVED POINT BUT COULD EASILY HAVE HAD THREE. ABERDEEN WILL NOT RELISH THE VISIT TO PALMERSTON ON TUESDAY AS QUEENS ON THIS FORM WILL MAKE A GAME OF IT.