Lee Bullen insists a clean sheet at Cove meant just as much to him as Ayr's five goal rout in the north east.
United put on brilliant show for the TV cameras as they moved one point off the top of the Championship.
A clinical attacking display saw Josh Mullin (2), Nick McAllister, Ben Dempsey and Fraser Bryden put sorry Cove to the sword.
But Bullen reckons it was Ayr's solidity at the back which gave him even more cheer.
He said: "We were outstanding from start to finish. It wasn't easy to get going in the first half but we got our goal to edge ahead.
"We felt we needed to up the tempo at half time and we did that. All credit to the lads because they kicked on - but I'm just as pleased with the clean sheet as I am with those five goals.
"Cove have a lot of new lads who were out to impress but slowly but surely our lads took a grip of the game.
"I've said to the lads to enjoy their night but Cove will have learned a lot from this and Paul Hartley will get them right back on track.
"They'll be a totally different animal when we come back up here on Tuesday and we'll face an entirely different game."
Ayr's five star show was headlined by a classy display from Mullin, who scored twice and laid on another for Dempsey.
Attention is now turning to whether Ayr can prevent him returning to parent club Livingston before the end of the January transfer window.
Mullin said: "It was a really professional performance from us and the manner in which we ended the game was really important.
"We've put the pressure on Queen's Park and Dundee and can now sit back with our feet up.
"At the moment I'm cup tied for Tuesday night so I will leave that to others to discuss and sort out behind the scenes to see what's happening moving forward."
Ayr were dealt an early blow when Paddy Reading was forced off after taking a nasty blow to his left eye, with Jordan Houston slotting in at left back.
But they edged in front soon after when McAllister reacted first to a loose ball in the Cove box to slot home from six yards.
Both sides struggled to gain any real rhythm after that in a tight first half, before Ayr turned on the turbo boost after the break.
A lighting counter attack saw Ayr double their lead when Mullin crossed for Dempsey to convert with a sweet volley.
And it was soon 3-0 when Dipo Akinyemi produced a brilliant through ball for Mullin to slot beneath debut keeper Scott Fox.
Ayr made a raft of changes after that with David Bangala, Mark McKenzie, Sam Ashford and Bryden introduced from the bench.
And it was the teen striker who made a real impact as Bryden launched a rocket into the top corner from 20 yards to make it 4-0.
Mullin then put the icing on the cake with a sublime free kick to ensure Ayr and their band of travelling fans returned home happy in the early hours.
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