AYR UNITED eased their relegation worries as Michael McGowan's second-half strike secured a vital win.
There was little between the sides in a hard-fought contest, but Ayr's desire shone through as they moved seven points clear of bottom club Queen of the South.
Ayr have now leapfrogged Raith Rovers into eighth position and this was the perfect preparation for Saturday's William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final with Hibernian.
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