Skipper Sean McGinty produced a captain's performance to lead Ayr's reserves to victory against Hamilton this afternoon.
The centre half headed a stoppage time winner to cap an impressive individual display as United won it at the death.
The Honest Men had named a strong XI with McGinty skippering a side which included Aidan McAdams, David Bangala, Daire O'Connor, Jayden Mitchell-Lawson, Sam Ashford and Mark McKenzie.
And Ayr hit the front at Cumnock's Townhead Park when Ashford latched on to a ball from Finn Ecrepont to produce a tidy finish.
United had chances to extend their lead before half time with Ashford squandering a clear opening after being played in by McKenzie.
Dario Viviani, playing in the centre of the park alongside Bangala, then fired just over the top after good work from O'Connor to tee him up 12 yards out.
Ayr were required to soak up far more Accies pressure after the restart and McAdams came up big with a couple of top saves to keep them in front.
The visitors then rattled the bar before they finally drew level when Jean-Pierre Tiehi converted a spot kick.
But Ayr weren't to be denied and won it deep into stoppage time when Ashford did well to earn a free kick by the corner flag. The resulting dead ball was swung into the box by Ecrepont and McGinty buried the header at the nearpost.
The victory leaves Ayr top of Group 2 in the Reserve Cup following their earlier win on penalties over Motherwell.
Kilmarnock, Queen of the South and Partick are also involved in the section.
AYR: McAdams, Watret, Holding, McGinty, Ecrepont; O'Connor, Viviani, Bangala, Mitchell-Lawson; McKenzie, Ashford.
