Ayr United bounced back from their midweek SPFL Trust Trophy defeat by East Kilbride with an important Scottish Championship win over Queen’s Park, despite the visitors' late rally.
Goals from Jay Henderson with a well taken penalty and a nice finish from Mark McKenzie gave the home side a comfortable cushion at the break and a nice finish from George Oakley, turning in Henderson’s free-kick, seemed to remove all doubt about the outcome 15 minutes from time.
But two late goals in as many minutes from substitutes Anthony Hinds and Jack Turner made for a nervy ending for the hosts. Hinds curled in a beautiful effort after cutting in from the left wing on 81 minutes and Turner scored with a deflected shot from the edge of the area.
The visitors could not find a leveller and finished with 10 players after sub Rocco Hickey-Fugaccia received a second yellow card.
Ayr remain four points behind Livingston and have moved to within seven points of leaders Falkirk, while Queen's Park drop out of the top four and are a point off Partick Thistle.
