BEFORE this match Stenhousemuir manager Brown Ferguson had suggested that due to Ayr’s run of six games they would be fatigued and his team should have enough to take back all three points from Somerset Park.

From the result it would be an understatement to suggest that he had his pre-match analysis wrong and had underestimated Ian McCall’s “fit bunch of lads” and a much reinvigorated Ayr United.

The Honest men started the game well and almost took the lead after just two minutes. Nicky Devlin got on the end of Docherty's through ball down the right before driving a low cross into the box. Striker Craig Moore had made a clever front post run but his flicked effort went just wide of the post.

It wasn’t long before United did go one up with Jordan Preston re-opening his account for the club. In three minutes Stenhousemuir defender Liam Henderson attempted a pass back to his keeper from the halfway line which was woefully short. United’s on loan front man intercepted, darted into the box and coolly slotted the ball past the keeper and into the net to give Ayr a one-goal advantage.

This stung Stenny into action and they attempted to take the game to Ayr although the home side seemed relatively comfortable. But in 16 minutes, Stenhousemuir were awarded a corner on the right and midfielder Alan Cook’s pacey ball smashed off United’s Peter Murphy’s knee into his own net to equalise for Stenhousemuir.

The away side then had a great chance to take the lead after a poor pass from Gilmour allowed Smith to play the ball to John McShane in acres of space just inside the box. Although in a position where he had time and space to compose himself, McShane opted to shoot first time and his effort flew high and wide of the target.

Stenhousemuir would live to regret that missed chance as Ayr then took the lead after 25 minutes. Preston brilliantly held the ball up before switching the play to full-back, Devlin. The United skipper played an inch perfect ball into the channel for Craig Moore to rush onto. The opposition defence were claiming offside but Moore made no mistake, drilling his shot low into the corner - another terrific finish from Moore as he made it three goals in three league games.

Ayr were to take a 3-1 lead into the second half as Stenhousemuir failed to defend a long ball. Gerry McLauchlan launched the ball forward towards the Ayr front pair but defender,Malcolm looked to be in control of the situation. As Preston and Moore applied pressure a mix-up between Malcolm and keeper Barclay meant the keeper had to desperately try to clear the ball over his own crossbar but instead, he looped it into the back of his own net to give United a two-goal cushion.

Half-time and the score was 3-1 in Ayr United's favour. It was a clinical opening half for Ayr with the strikeforce partnership of Preston and Moore causing all sorts of problems for Stenhousemuir.

Ayr didn't take long to stretch their lead as only two minutes into the second half, Preston notched his second of the night. Moore slipped the ball between centre-half and full back for the number nine to race onto before dispatching the ball low into the near post corner, giving the keeper no chance.

In 49 minutes Ayr were denied by the thickness of the crossbar when Alan Forrest smashed a delicious strike goalwards from 25 yards on the half volley, only to watch his shot hit the underside of the crossbar and bounce out. A simply stunning effort from the teenager.

Greg Fleming was then called upon as he saved well from Alan Cook's effort. Ayr couldn't get the ball away from their penalty area and the ball fell to Cook. From a tight angle he called Fleming into action as they searched for a way back into the game.

On 85mins United made it 5-1. Substitute Ross Caldwell got on the end of and Alan Forrest pass before coolly stroking the ball across the keeper and into the bottom corner.

It was a good finish from the striker to score his second for the club.

That wasn't to be the end of the scoring as in 87 minutes the Warriors added another to make it 5-2.

Gilhanney worked a yard of space on the left before floating a cross into the penalty area where Liam McCroary was on hand to head past Fleming.

It was a comfortable victory for United which takes them into joint top spot.

Goals from all three strikers will please manager Ian McCall as they are beginning to look a real potent attacking threat. This all bodes well for United's visit to free-scoring Dunfermline on September 12.

AYR UNITED: Fleming; Devlin, Boyle, Docherty, McLauchlan, Murphy, Gilmour, Adams, Preston, Moore, Forrest Subs: Graham, Muir, Nisbet, Donald, Caldwell, Crawford, Newman (GK).

Starman Jordan Preston 3 Craig Moore 2 Ross Docherty 1