Ayr United lose first home game in seven months as Livingston claim three points at Somerset

Ayr were beaten on home soil for the first time since March as Livingston maintained their unbeaten start.

AYR were beaten at Somerset for the first time since March 23 as Livingston continued their impressive start to the season.

The Lions raced into a 2-0 lead courtesy of Robbie Muirhead and Scott Pittman before Connor McLennan gave Ayr hope before the interval.

But they couldn't force a deserved equaliser during the second half as Scott Brown's side went down on their sword despite a battling display.

Brown reintroduced Liam Russell between the sticks while Frankie Musonda flew in from international duty with Zambia to start at right back.

But Ayr suffered an early blow when they gifted Livi the lead. Nick McAllister lost possession on the edge of his own box and when the ball was turned over, Robbie Muirhead punished Ayr in brutal style by rifling into the top corner.

United had half chances through Jay Henderson and skipper Ben Dempsey as they tried to claw their way level.

A huge flashpoint saw Livi sub Matthew Clarke stay on the park for a crude lunge on Marco Rus - but with the Ayr bench baying for a red card, ref Don Robertson settled for a yellow.

And the visitors showed their ruthless side again when doubling their lead against the run of play. Tete Yengi slid the ball through for Scott Pittman and he provided the coolest of finishes to beat the advancing Russell and seemingly put Livi in total control.

But that seemed to light a fire under Ayr and they came battling back with a rousing finish before the break.

New boy Connor McLennan halved the deficit when he mopped up a rebound from close range after George Oakley's header had been saved by Jerome Prior. And Ayr almost levelled before the interval when Marco Rus teed up Henderson to send a header just inches wide.

Brown turned to his bench at half time and Scott McMann made his welcome reutn from injury in place of McAllister at centre half.

But Ayr were almost dealt a disastrous start just after the break when George Stanger's slip let in Stevie May, only for the former St Johnstone striker to stand on the ball when clean through and lose the chance.

Ayr continued to have the bulk of the play but struggled for clearcut chances as Livi dug in but as the clock wound down, United threw everything at a leveller.

McMann saw a shot spilled wide by Prior before George Oakley turned to fire over from six yards as Ayr launched everything into attack. Oakley again went close in stoppage time with a shot which flew inches wide but they just couldn't force the point their pressure deserved as Livi held out for a huge victory.

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