Lewis Vaughan nets hat-trick as leaders Raith draw with 10-man Ayr in thriller

Lewis Vaughan scored a hat-trick as Scottish Championship leaders Raith clawed back a 4-4 draw against 10-man Ayr in a thrilling contest.

Aiden McGeady opening the scoring in the 28th minute, slotting the ball into the bottom corner to hand Ayr the lead, but Raith responded a minute later when Sam Stanton went around the goalkeeper to roll the ball home.

Ayr were soon reduced to 10 men when Sean McGinty was sent off in the 43rd minute and Vaughan quickly took advantage to put Rovers in front two minutes later with a header into the top corner.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Honest Men equalised 10 minutes into the second half when Ben Dempsey fired home from outside of the box and Logan Chalmers put them back in front in the 63rd minute, only for Vaughan to level in the 81st minute from the penalty spot.

The drama continued as Ahkeem Rose restored Ayr’s lead four minutes later, but Vaughan had the final say with a goal in stoppage time to salvage a point for the leaders.