Football: AYR ARE FULL OF EASTON PROMISE; AYR 1 COWDENBEATH 1.

Byline: BEN HAY reports

AYR super-sub Willie Easton smashed in a stoppage-time equaliser to break the hearts of 10-man Cowden.

The Blue Brazil took a shock lead through John Dempster and looked like hanging on despite having Jay Shields sent off with 20 minutes to go for a second yellow card.

But the point was no more than battling Ayr deserved after they passed up a series of clear-cut chances and laid siege to David Hay's goal.

Ryan Stevenson and Jerome Vareille were both denied in an instantly forgettable first half while Paul McLeod caused the visitors plenty of problems.

But Cowden stunned them in 47 minutes when Dempster showed perfect timing to arrive in the box and prod home from John Robertson's cross.

The home side stormed up the park after the goal and they were given a boost as Shields picked up a second booking for a challenge on Dean Keenan and headed for an early bath.

The visitors tried to shut up shop and their back line did well to keep Ayr out but their resistance was broken late on.

Easton somehow found space in a packed penalty area to drill home a beauty from 12-yards.