Ayr United stun leaders Arbroath

James Maxwell scored the only goal at Somerset Park

New manager Lee Bullen got off to a fantastic start as Ayr United stunned Scottish Championship leaders Arbroath at Somerset Park.

Bullen arrived at the club on Friday and had a two-hour session with his players.

But James Maxwell scored the only goal after 18 minutes and the hosts held on for a second successive victory.

A first defeat since mid-October means Arbroath's lead at the top is cut to two points.

Ayr United remain seventh and are now six points clear of bottom side Dunfermline.

In a low quality encounter, Scott Stewart and James Craigen threatened early for Dick Campbell's men before the deadlock was broken.

Maxwell was slipped in and skipped past three players to fire off a shot which Ricky Little will not want to see again. The defender was well placed to clear but got his footing all wrong and the ball ended up in the back of the net.

Patrick Reading then tested visiting goalkeeper Derek Gaston, while Arbroath finished the first half on top but could not find a way past the resolute home defence.

The best of the second half action came late, with Joel Nouble, in his last appearance for the league leaders before heading back to Livingston, twice guilty of bad misses and Daire O'Connor denied by Gaston right at the death.

Ayr United manager Lee Bullen: "I've got to be honest; it was unexpected against a team who have been flying high. It was backs to backs to wall stuff and bodies on the line at times. We showed some real pockets of quality. Our players deserve every bit of credit they get."

Arbroath assistant manager Ian Campbell: "It just wasn't like us today, the second half they just parked in their 18-yard box and that's a way to win a game. We didn't' deserve to take anything out of that but it's going a be a great end to the season so bring it on."