DUNFERMLINE 3 Kiltie (28), Ashcroft (63), Ryan (84)
AYR UNITED 2 Ashcroft (og, 43), Forrest (57)
Home manager Stevie Crawford was delighted with the spirit shown by his men as they came back from behind to take all three points in an enthralling encounter.
The Pars gaffer said after the match: “This league is very tight and I’m delighted that we got the victory.
“We were tested today, and we answered. We go one down and there was a reaction. There were a lot of questions answered.
“We won’t get carried away though and we need to carry this forward into the second quarter of the season.”
The first half was certainly not a forbearer of what was to come as both sides plodded without much in the way of quality.
Things brightened up as Greg Kiltie opening the scoring on the half-hour mark, rounding the keeper and keeping his cool to finish past Andy Geggan on the line.
The visitors then had a dose of fortune as they pulled level through a Lee Ashcroft own goal.
Alan Forrest caused havoc in the box as his headed effort was pawed away by Cammy Gill, but only on to Ashcroft, who could do nothing about it as the ball ricocheted off him into the net.
The second half was a rip-roaring affair and Forrest was again in the thick of it as he gave his side the lead 57 minutes in with a lovely, curling effort from 20 yards that left Gill with no chance.
However, the lead would only last five minutes, as Ashcroft atoned for his earlier own goal.
Again, there was no lack of class as the defender rifled in on the volley from outside the penalty box.
The home men smelled blood at this point and the winner would duly come with just six minutes to go.
Kiltie, this time the provider, fed in substitute Andy Ryan, who made no mistake, picking his spot in the bottom right-hand corner to send the home fans into raptures.
Ayr caretaker boss Sandy Stewart mused: “We have created loads of chances.
“I’m sure for the neutral it was an entertaining game but I’m disappointed to come away from home, score two goals and lose.”