Dunfermline upset Ayr

Substitute Louis Longridge’s second-half penalty helped Dunfermline upset high-flying Ayr with a 1-0 victory at Somerset Park.

Dunfermline picked up their maiden victory under new boss Stevie Crawford last weekend after downing Inverness 1-0 – their first win in six matches – and the Pars repeated the feat on Saturday.

Neither side could fashion a breakthrough during a goalless first half but the visitors edged ahead in the 71st minute.

The referee pointed to the spot after Michael Rose handled in the box and Longridge, who had only been on the pitch five minutes after replacing Aidan Connolly, fired past Ross Doohan.

Ayr pushed for a leveller but the Pars defence managed to keep the prolific Lawrence Shankland and his team-mates out to record only their eighth win of the season.

Victory lifts Dunfermline up to fifth while second-placed Ayr fell five points behind leaders Ross County