League leaders Arbroath stumbled on the road against Ayr but remain in pole position despite a hiccup in their unlikely title surge.
Ricky Little's own goal proved to be the difference as Lee Bullen marked his dugout debut with a victory. For Ayr it gives them breathing space in the Championship relegation scrap as they enjoy a four point gap.
The Red Lichties were the first to threaten as the league's top scorer Michael McKenna almost turned provider in the opening five minutes.
The midfielder whipped a dangerous low cross into the six-yard box, but the home defence scrambled the ball away from the feet of Joel Nouble.Mark McKenzie then broke down the other end as looked to put an early marker down for the Bullen era.
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