Queen of South 4 - 1 Ayr Utd. - Doonhamers off the bottom

Queen of South leapfrogged Ayr to move off the bottom of the Scottish First Division thanks to a 4-1 win at Palmerston Park.

The Doonhamers went into the fixture without a win in four games but took the lead after 31 minutes, Stephen McKenna curling in an unstoppable effort from distance.

The visitors equalised on the stroke of half-time when Gareth Wardlaw swept home Michael McGowan's assist.

The game turned in the 71st minute when Ayr's Edward Malone was sent off for a foul on Nicky Clark inside the area. Scott McLaughlin converted the subsequent spot-kick.

Daniel Carmichael extended the advantage for Gus McPherson's men just moments later before Stephen Simmons finished the scoring with a neat right-footed finish from the edge of the area with just a minute left.