Ayr get forward for the first time in the half, again relying on the delivery of Chris Maguire and the midfield runs of Ben Dempsey.

Nick McAllister bursts forward too to release the former, who stands a ball up which is headed away. Dempsey sniffs around on the follow-up and attempts a cheeky volley, but the effort is wilder than the Arbroath wind.

Arbroath are bang at it in these early stages.

Mikey McKenna is floating about graciously in the middle of the park to release Scott Stewart. The less gracious Arbroath pitch forces the ball away from the striker.

The hosts break into the box again, forcing a pair of lunging blocks out of the Ayr defence. Lee Bullen's men just need to stay in it at the moment.

Al Lamont tells viewers that Colin Hamilton could be out for the rest of the season after his injury suffered early in the first half.

Just how big a blow could that be for Arbroath?

We've just kicked off for the second half and we already have a booking.

David Gold is shown yellow after a wee nibble in the centre of the park.

I think it's fair to say Dale Hilson enjoyed that one.

Five for the season now for the Arbroath striker. More leaping to come?

Image source, SNS

Injured Ayr winger Josh Mullin is in the Sportscene studio and is, rather understandably, being diplomatic about his team's performance in the first half.

Lee Bullen would love to have his trickery at his disposal tonight. Can someone fill the void left by their chief creative force?

Here's how The Red Lichties opened the scoring through man of the moment Dale Hilson.

That flick from Scott Stewart, by the way. Sublime.

Leanne Crichton
Ex-Scotland international on BBC Sportscene

I think it was pretty scrappy. Arbroath probably got a grip fo the game and have managed the conditions better.

Ayr United have had moments, but I don't think they've been anywhere near the standards they've set for themselves.

It's been scrappy, it's been ragged, but it's been proper Championship entertainment.

From the off, set-pieces looked likely to play their part, and that transpired when an Abroath corner was flicked on by Scott Stewart and turned behind by Dale Hilson.

Ayr have battled well, but have lacked the moment of quality needed to thwart a dogged home defence.

Image source, SNS

More good play from Dipo Akinyemi. More good defending from the Arbroath rearguard.

The Ayr striker desperately tries to turn and strike, but he's swarmed out of the option, eventually upending Joao Balde, presumably out of frustration.

Chris Maguire's deliveries are the epitome of hot and cold this evening.

This time, it's a blistering ball in from the experienced frontman, but Ricky Little uses all his nous to not only head it clear, but win a foul at the same time.

If Arbroath can limit Dipo Akinyemi to the type of chances he's had so far, they'll be on to a good thing.

The striker shows his strengths by finding himself a yard to let fly, but a goalkeeper the quality of Derek Gaston is always going to claim that.

So nearly a surging counter from Arbroath, but the offside flag scuppers the searing move. Replays show it was misjudged by the assistant referee.

You sense Arbroath will quite enjoy playing counterpunch, which looks the way the pattern of the game might be heading.

Big shout of a penalty from the Arbroath fans.

Sam Ashford places an arm on David Gold as he surges into the box, but the referee is unmoved despite a perfect view.

Is it enough for a penalty? Let me see those thumbs.

Ben Dempsey loves a goal from midfield, but the Ayr man drags that one despite play opening up there.

Seems either side could open the scoring in this one. Gripping stuff.

Tam O'Brien, stop that.

The defender is busting out all kinds of tricks on the left side to get Ryan Dow in behind, who cuts inside and curls in an enticing ball.

It's met by Scott Stewart, whose strong header would surely have troubled goal if not for the tight marshalling of Paddy Reading.

But seriously Tam, stop that. They'll have to add another five years to your contract if you keep it up.

There's a real decent noise when Arbroath manage to get forward.

They're backing their side in the fight in what has been end-to-end stuff so far.

Half-hearted shouts of handball there after a Sam Ashford header in the box, but I'm not sure the Ayr players really believed it themselves.

Chris Maguire then floats in a pair of really dangerous corners, but centre backs Frankie Musonda and Sean McGinty can't find the right connection on either occasion.

Mikey McKenna's turn to send in a brilliant ball from a set-piece.

His delightful delivery evades everyone however, with Ayr eventually managing to clear their lines. I'm getting the sense dead balls could be a big factor in this one.