Airdrie managed to take a point from Ayr for the first time in 13 meetings as Cole McKinnon’s strike cancelled out a Jamie Murphy penalty at Somerset.

Captain Aidan Wilson returned for the Diamonds as Sean McGinty dropped out of the side after suffering bone bruising to his ankle.

Dylan MacDonald, Jamie Barjonas and Euan Henderson were also reinstated to the starting line-up following Tuesday’s KDM Evolution Trophy win over Montrose, with Charlie Telfer, Jake Hastie and Cammy Cooper dropping to the bench.

It was the home side who started more brightly, Anton Dowds seeing a second minute strike blocked by Wilson before Scott McMann fired over the roof of the stand three minutes later.

As Airdrie came back into the match Harry Stone tried to release Henderson on nine minutes, but the pass was intercepted. A minute later a low Lewis Strapp cross was punted clear.

Barjonas went close on 16 minutes before a rapid Ayr counter left captain Ben Dempsey one-on-one with Stone, but the keeper – who spent time on loan at Somerset last season – made a fantastic stop.

Just before the half hour mark McMann went down in the box under pressure from Dylan MacDonald, and referee Chris Graham pointed to the spot. Jamie Murphy tucked the spot-kick away to give the hosts the lead.

Barjonas tried his luck again four minutes later, curling an effort just wide after taking in a fine McMaster pass, and Russell made a decent 40th-minute save from McKinnon as Airdrie battled to get level.

Wilson covered well as Dowds almost got through on goal, but it was the Diamonds who rippled the net on 42 minutes after a sustained attack.

Some short, sharp passing allowed Chris Mochrie to get an angled effort away, with Liam Russell saving at the near post. Gavin Gallagher’s effort from the rebound was blocked by a hand, but before the referee could react McKinnon had lifted the ball into the net to make it 1-1.

Gallagher had the chance to put the Diamonds ahead on the stroke of half-time, but his strike flew wide of the post.

Two minutes into the second half Stuart Bannigan was booked for a studs-up challenge on Mochrie, Barjonas blocking a Marco Rus strike four minutes later with Mark McKenzie unable to capitalise.

Wilson saw a volley blocked behind as play raged from end to end, before a moment of controversy on 59 minutes.

As Gallagher lined up a shot on the edge of the box he was sent flying by a horrendous Bannigan tackle. Rather than the straight red many expected, or a second yellow, the referee failed to award even a foul. Bannigan was immediately substituted.

Henderson almost netted from the corner kick, his effort on the turn smacking the upright and rebounding to safety.

Barjonas missed the target after a powerful 62nd-minute run before Gallagher hobbled off to be replaced by Charlie Telfer, making his 100th appearance for the Diamonds.

Strapp made an excellent block from McKenzie on 64 minutes with Russell holding a Barjonas effort four minutes later.

As the game moved towards a conclusion, Scott Brown’s side missed a couple of gilt-edged chances, Dowds blazing over from six yards out in the 73rd minute before Dempsey repeated the feat seven minutes later.

A good claim from Stone almost turned disastrous when the keeper collided with a defender and dropped the ball, but Ayr were unable to take advantage.

McKenzie headed wide with three minutes remaining, and Airdrie sub Lewis McGrattan was off-target with his 89th-minute shot.

The last chance fell to Ayr sub Jude Bonnar, who sent his strike well wide of the post to ensure a share of the spoils.

A break from league duties follows next week as the Diamonds welcome Arbroath to the Albert Bartlett Stadium for a Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup fourth round clash.