Anton Dowds makes a point for Ayr United in Somerset stalemate with Morton

Anton Dowds nodded his 11th goal of the season to earn Ayr a point in a Somerset stalemate against Morton.

United were forced to come from behind after Kirk Broadfoot's opener, but neither side could force a second half winner.

Injury-hit Ayr were forced to play striker Mark McKenzie in the centre of midfield as they plugged the gaps. But the Honest Men started brightly and were first to threaten when Fraser Bryden flashed an effort wide of target from 12 yards.

They couldn't build on that, though, and it was Morton who edged ahead midway through the first half. Michael Garrity's free kick from the left was met by Broadfoot who was able to nod home from inside the six yard box.

But Ayr had a strong finish to the first half and Franny Amartey went close before Frankie Musonda drew a fine stop from Ryan Mullen. And on the stroke of half time they forced the leveller when Amartey crossed for Dowds to head off the underside of the bar.

Ayr began the second half like a train and should have been in front. Dowds missed a hat trick of early chances after the interval - the best of which saw him rattling the bar with a thunderous strike from 10 yards.

Morton were a big threat on the break with George Oakley and Robbie Muirhead both going close. Scott Brown turned to his bench and sent on Jamie Murphy and Kurt Willoughby in a bid to turn the screw for Ayr.

The home side piled forward and Bryden fired wildly over the top after good build up play from Murphy and Dowds. Oakley sent a header straight at Josh Clarke as Morton also pushed but neither side could produce a moment of magic to win it.

Brown said: "The referee made the game about himself. It was obviously a big occasion for him.

"I was booked at half time - he said a few things to me that weren't appropriate but it should be more about the two teams than him. Our lads dealt with what was a stop-start game very well. I was proud of how we played tonight and the lads' understanding of the game.

"Can we be better and show more composure in front of goal? Yes. On another day, Anton scores another two. We need to keep getting points on the board and also start getting clean sheets."

Morton boss Dougie Imrie said: "It was a game of two halves. Credit to Ayr they were better than us second half. To come away from home at any time in the season and get a point is valuable. In the Championship you have to take your chances and we had a couple we didn't take, so overall a draw was a fair result."