AYR UNITED 1

If football teams were built in their manager’s image, it might be Pat Nevin or James McFadden prowling the Caley Thistle technical area.

Instead it is Duncan Ferguson, another past Everton great, barking out instructions.

For all his predatory aggression as a player, the style of play Ferguson is imprinting on his new club is silky and subtle.

It was thrill-a-minute football, with David Wotherspoon’s double and a Billy Mckay penalty all but sealing victory before half-time.

Jamie Murphy’s reply from the spot on the hour ushered in latter Ayr dominance, but Ferguson stressed: “We’re working them really hard on the training ground. We wantthemtogetbetter and better.

“It’s an ongoing process, but we’re getting results and have popped out of the bottom two.

“I’m really pleased with the way the players are grasping my ideas.

“Thefansshoweda lot of patience as the opening part of the game was a non-event.”

After barely 10 minutes, the Honest Men suffered a setback whenGeorgeStanger dislocated his shoulder.

The hosts warmed up to produce some freeflowing football, but only clicked in the final 15 minutes of the first half.

It was a breathtaking spell and Billy Mckay’s invention sparked the opener after releasing Cammy Harper to the leftofthebox.

Harper’s floated cross was cushioned down by Carson and Nathan Shaw’s mishit attempt square on goal was redirected

STAR MAN: Cammy Harper (ICT) performed superbly for the hosts and played a part in both Wotherspoon’s goals.

move caught out Ayr, causing Paddy Reading to trip Caley Thistle’s Charlie Gilmour in the penalty area.

Mckay stepped up to the spot to score his fourth of the season.

However, Ayr grasped a lifeline on the hour mark when substitute Ahkeem Rose raced into the box, only to be clipped to earth by keeper Mark Ridgers.

Jamie Murphy’s slick penalty denied Ridgers a clean sheet on his 250th club appearance, but Inverness are now five games unbeaten – with three wins – under Ferguson.