Frankie: We’ve set benchmark and fear no-one
Frankie Musonda reckons Ayr will have no problems sealing their safety if they produce another Tannadice performance.
The Honest Men had more than matched the Terrors until Nick McAllister’s rash red card left them up against it.
Ayr were eventually undone as Dundee United went into party mode through Chris Mochrie’s late winner which secured their return to the Premier League.
But Musonda, who skippered Ayr on Tayside, believes there was plenty to be pleased with for Scott Brown’s men.
He said: “Up until the red card, I thought we were playing really well.
“Of course, United had their spells which you would expect.
“But in the first half, we definitely had ours as well.
“Once you go down to ten, it makes it a lot harder.
“I didn’t see the incident. The ref just said he’s put his elbow up and caught him in the face.
“Once you put your elbow up like that, you’re always at risk.
“It’s a shame and we’ll probably miss him for two games which is disappointing.
“We have two more big games coming up but we have a big squad.
“Even at times after the red, we played some good stuff and dug deep. It was difficult to get out but it’s another performance we can be proud of.”
Ayr have edged to the verge of safety but want to avoid the risk of a last day nerve shredder against Dunfermline.
Musonda added: “In the last three games, the performances have been good and there has been a consistency with the workrate on and off the ball.
“If we take that into the next two games, hopefully we can come away with some points.
“Unless we had won here, things would have gone on to next week anyway.
“It’s still in our hands to be safe. It’s up to us to perform and get the results we need.
“Since the manager’s come in, you can see there’s been a real lift around the whole club.
“The fans have really taken to him. There’s a real energy and a benchmark which they set.
“If that’s the benchmark we’re playing against today, we’re more than capable of beating teams like that.
“The mentality of the team is key in the next two games. The workrate and desire needs to be there.”
Despite the stage being set for the hosts’ title party, Ayr were more than worthy of the occasion.
Kurt Willoughby and Mark McKenzie went close as they enjoyed first half chances.
Anton Dowds should have done better just after half time but shot straight at Jack Walton from eight yards.
Then came the flashpoint as McAllister walked for blocking Glenn Middleton with an elbow.
Ayr still had their chances, though, and Ben Dempsey fired over from the edge of the box after good build-up play.
But they couldn’t quite hold out as the home side ramped up the pressure and when Josh Clarke parried Tony Watt’s header, sub Mochrie was there to mop up.
Boss Brown said: “I thought our lads were exceptional - we were calm and composed on the ball and went to win our battles.
“It was a harsh red card and that is a lesson, you are never going to get any favours coming up here.
“But we went up against the league leaders today and I thought we were very good against them.
“I am proud of the lads for that performance but you can’t just do it for one game - you need to produce it week after week.”
DUNDEE UNITED: Walton, Thomson, McClelland, Graham, McMann; Sibbald, Tillson (Wotherspoon 67); Fotheringham (Mochrie 76), Watt, Middleton; Moult (Grimshaw 87).
AYR UNITED: Clarke, McAllister, Stanger, Saunders, Musonda; McKenzie (Bryden 63; Tomlinson 87); McHugh, Dempsey, Murphy (Amartey 81); Willoughby (McGinty 63), Dowds.
Attendance: 10,025; Ref: Craig Napier