AYR talisman Anton Dowds saw his ‘penalty philosophy’ pay off during the Honest Men’s weekend draw with former club Partick Thistle – and the frontman has praised assistant coach Steven Whittaker for helping to boost his success rate from the spot.

The striker netted from 12 yards on Saturday with a retaken effort after his first was saved by Jags keeper Myles Roberts, who was judged to have stepped off his line.

Dowds, who picked up the Championship player of the month award for August after bagging four league goals, now has five in six league games so far this season.

United fell off top spot in the Championship after the 1-1 draw at Somerset Park but maintained their unbeaten start to the season.

Dowds told Ayr United TV: “[Penalties are] something that I’ve been working quite hard with Steven Whittaker on.

“It’s something that he showed me and thought might be quite helpful.

“It’s been working so far. As long as I keep practicing them, by chance they’ve been going in so far.

Anton DowdsAnton Dowds (Image: NQ)

“If one does miss it’s about sticking to the philosophy and it’s been successful so far this season.

“It’s so important that you do get off to a good start and thankfully we have done that.”

Thistle defender Harry Milne brought the away side back on level terms on Saturday with less than a quarter of the game to go but neither side could find a winner in the closing stages.

Top scorer Dowds hobbled off with a knee injury in the second half and his replacement, Jamie Murphy, also left the pitch prematurely – with the extent of both injuries yet to be confirmed.

Somerset ParkSomerset Park (Image: NQ)

Dowds added: “It’s been a great start to the season for the club, I’m happy to have chipped in with a few goals and helped us with our great start.

“The way we’re playing at the minute we’re very much on the front foot and it means there’s lots of chances for George Oakley and myself, and thankfully we’re taking them.

“We have been scoring quite a few goals, so long may it continue.

“Now that we’re playing two up front - last year it was myself up there - it means that there are distractions for the defenders which means the other one is able to benefit from that.

“I think we’re seeing that with the goals being shared among all the forward players at the minute, so it’s definitely helping.”

Meanwhile, the club announced on Friday that captain Ben Dempsey has signed a contract extension, keeping the midfielder at Somerset Park until June 2026.

Second-placed Ayr, who are now a point behind flawless Falkirk, travel to Hampden this Saturday to face Queen’s Park, who are currently sitting in fourth in the Championship. Kick-off is at 3pm.