ON a grey day, the rustic environs of Somerset Park were host to an abomination. Ayr United played, like their nickname, The Honest Men, with enterprise, desire and a modicum of ability. Stranraer were bereft of anything useful as they subjected their small band of supporters to perhaps the most pathetic team performance they will ever see.

It was an insult to Keith Knox, the Stranraer manager, whose attempts to rally his charges fell on deaf ears, the director who sat slumped in his seat massaging his temple, and to supporters who needn't have bothered coming.

Knox cut a forlorn figure afterwards and wasn't joking when he said members of the public could be offered a game. "It is okay for them. They disappear after the game - especially after a home game - up to Glasgow. Whether they think about the club or not I have no idea. Teams are not working hard to get their goals and that is the disappointing thing," he lamented.

A 4-5-1 formation was designed to stifle Ayr but their resistance was half-hearted. The first goal, after 23 minutes was reason to give up the fight. Bryan Prunty had no need to jump to beat James Creaney and head Neil McGowan's cross beyond the stranded Scott Black. Ayr scored twice in two minutes just before the interval. Ryan Stevenson tapped the ball into the net with no defender within three yards before Neil McGowan, again without jumping, beat a defender to head in.

Another goal came after 48 minutes when Mark Roberts broke on the left and crossed for Chris Aitken to lash home in an empty penalty box. Stranraer could not clear the ball properly. Incredibly at corners, they did not look to pick up an opposite number.

Ayr capped a resounding win, which strengthens their grip at the top of the league, when Alex Williams rounded Black and tapped in with ten minutes left.

Brian Reid, the Ayr manager, was delighted with his side's performance: "There will still be twists and turns, but we're in a good position. It's up to us to keep ourselves there."