Highland clearance
United smashed their Highland hoodoo as a controlled performance claimed their first win at Inverness in 19 years.
Goals from Sean McGinty and Tomi Adeloye put United in charge before Caley were reduced to 10 men as frustration set in for the hosts.
And although they claimed a late consolation through a fortunate strike from Lewis Nicolson, The Honest Men were well worth taking the points back to Ayrshire.
Lee Bullen had stuck with the same XI who bagged an historic derby win at Kilmarnock.
And they made it two massive wins on the road as the tide continues to turn under the new Somerset regime.
After a quiet opening, it was Ayr who hit the front as the game approached half time when skipper McGinty rose unmarked to head
INVERNESS CT .............................. 1 AYR UNITED ................................... 2 in a superb Kerr McInroy corner.
Logan Chalmers, who looked Caley’s biggest threat, then drew a stunning save from Aidan McAdams on the stroke of the interval as Ayr preserved their lead.
The keeper also denied Billy Mckay as United kept the back door shut to head into half time in front.
And the second half saw a professional display from United as they sealed the points.
Adeloye, who was tremendous from the bench at Kilmarnock, made another huge impact when entering the fray here in 64 minutes.
He was on the park for just six seconds when, with his first touch, he steered home a cutback from Mark McKenzie.
Caley’s misery grew worse soon after when David Carson saw red for a lunge on Adeloye, leaving the hosts with a mountain to climb.
They did grab a late consolation when Nicolson’s cross flew into the top corner, but Ayr were able to see it out.
United head coach Bullen said: “In the second half our lads came out a lot better.
“There’s a lot more resilience about the group of players over the last month.
“We’re building strong performances.”
INVERNESS: MacKay, Duffy (Hardy 71), Deas, Broadfoot, Harper (Nicolson 78), Pearson (Doran 78), Carson, McAlear, Chalmers (Hyde 78), Sutherland (Samuels 65), Mckay.
AYR: McAdams, Houston (Rowe 63), Muirhead, McGinty, Reading; McKenzie (Gondoh 89), Murdoch, McInroy, Maxwell (O’Connor 89), Dempsey (Smith 89), Ashford (Adeloye 63).
Referee: Kevin Clancy; Crowd 1,850