Lee Bullen tonight admitted his side aren't good for the heartrate - as they went top of the league.
Ayr hit Partick for four in a six goal thriller under the Somerset Park lights to reach the Championship summit.
The result - and performance - left Bullen and the 2,782 crowd breathless.
He said: "If you are a neutral you'd have loved that game and both sets of players deserve real credit.
"Everyone from the lads who started to those who came on really put in a shift.
"The emotional turmoil that style of game puts me and the coaching staff through isn't great.
"But if it gets us three points we'll take it every day of the week.
"Our focus now switches to Arbroath on Saturday and another big test coming our way.
"Every team in this league has a go, regardless of their own styles, and all we're trying to do is pass the ball forward and run forward and hope it takes us in the right direction.
"I think anybody watching us will agree that's what we do."
Thistle had flown from the traps with both Kyle Turner and Olatunji Akinola missing good early chances.
But they were caught cold at the other end as Ayr took a 16th minute lead.
Logan Chalmers was the man to benefit as an Akinola clearance rebounded off his chest and bounced over the line.
The lead lasted just 60 seconds, though, as Lee Hodson bundled home a Jack McMillan cross for the Jags to restore parity.
United were struggling to cope with Thistle's extra man in midfield and often found themselves under pressure during a frenetic first half.
But they hit the front again when a Chalmers cross was thumped past his own keeper by the head of Darren Brownlie.
Thistle didn't have to wait long to get back on level terms, though, as the game continued its incredible pace after half time.
Brian Graham was the man on the spot to produce another scrappy finish - this time forcing home from an Anton Dowds header.
However, both sides were committed to all out attack and it was little surprise when Ayr were back in front again just moments later.
Thistle couldn't properly clear a corner and when the ball was recyled to Josh Mullin, he rammed a low finish past Mitchell to notch the fifth goal of the game.
Bullen sent on the towering presence of skipper Sean McGinty to try and shore up Ayr's defence in a bid to regain some control of the game.
And they immediately looked more solid for it as the game entered its final quarter.
Mullin went close to stretching the lead when he raced through to fire against the sidenetting.
United's Andy Murdoch lashed a long range drive inches wide as Ayr looked to seal it entering the final 10 minutes.
But United did secure the three points at the death when sub Mark McKenzie drove home a low finish to ensure they went top of the league.
Jags boss Ian McCall said: "To go in at 2-1 down was unbelievable given the chances we had.
"We did really well for large parts of the game but we cannot defend like we did.
"We had vastly more chances than Ayr but just didn't take them."
