AYR UNITED 3
Adeloye (2, 63), Salkeld (25) DUNFERMLINE ATH. 1 Todorov (28)
Jim Duffy got off to the cracking start as Ayr caretaker to keep Dunfermline rooted to the foot of the Championship with only one point to their name.
A double from Tomi Adeloye and a header from Cameron Salkeld swept Ayr to their first league win, with Nikolay Todorov replying.
Duffy revealed: “The chairman asked me to look after the team today, which I’ve done.
“We’ll see where we are on Tuesday when we play again. If we’re not here then we will have enjoyed our day.
“I have still a wee bit to offer in the game.
“I’m not ready for the pipe and slippers yet.”
Duffy’s team, showing six changes from the squad that lost 2-0 to Raith on Tuesday and led to the departure of David Hopkin – and took only two minutes to strike.
Recalled keeper Charlie Albinson played the ball to Paddy Reading who chipped it forward to Daire O’connor.
The Irishman, who was starting his first game, darted into the box and cut the ball back for Adeloye, who deftly turned it home from close range.
Pars hit back strongly and Todorov had an effort save before Aaron Comrie sent a diving header wide.
Kevin O’hara then shot narrowly past before Ayr doubled their lead in 24 minutes when Salkeld nodded home a cross from Reading after more good work by O’connor.
It took Dunfermline only three minutes to reply when Todorov fired home via the post after Charlie Albinson saved from Ryan Dow.
The visitors were entertaining hopes of continuing their fightback when they shot themselves in the foot in 63 minutes.
On-loan Hibs youngster Steve Bradley cashed in a mix-up in the visitors’ defence and picked out Adeloye, who kept his cool to roll home his second of the afternoon.
Only a great diving save by Albinson kept out a Kai Kennedy free-kick as Dunfermline chased a late consolation.
Under-fire Pars boss Peter Grant claimed: “At this moment of time, things are not going well for us. It’s hard and sore to take.
“It was the story of our season. We created and miss chances while giving away soft goals at the same time.
“We can’t make excuses for losing football games but we are making far too many mistakes which are killing us.”