Dundee 1 - 1 Ayr United

NEWLY-PROMOTED Ayr United's aim this season is to consolidate their place in the First Division and should they replicate more results like this draw at Dens Park they should have no problems achieving that.

Having to re-think after just a few minutes when Alan Trouten walked off injured, the part-timers took the lead through his replacement Michael Moffat who, in turn, scored. Michael McGowan picked the ball up on the right-hand side before planting a perfect cross on his team-mate's head. Standing six yards out and allowed to roam free by the home defence, Moffat simply just flicked a header past Rab Douglas.

Nicky Riley should have equalised on 24 minutes when played through on goal by Matt Lockwood but he dithered on the ball, allowing goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert to block.

But parity was restored on the half-hour, with Hyde's poacher's instinct being rewarded. He cleverly followed in on Jamie McCluskey's spectacular shot from the edge of the box and was perfectly placed to steer the ball home after the initial shot came back off the crossbar. McCluskey has added flair to Dundee's play and he nearly scored just before half-time but Cuthbert got down to his right to push away the low drive.

Ayr's James McKernon was next to go close, on 67 minutes, with a looping shot from 25 yards which had Douglas at full stretch to gather.

In the closing stages, Ayr were indebted to goalkeeper Cuthbert for keeping the scores level as he pulled off some fine saves, but Dundee could not break through. They were watched from the stands by former players Leigh Griffiths and Gary Harkins. How they must have wished that pair were still available to them.