Hamilton Accies' Championship survival bid took a major dent as Ayr United ran out comfortable winners at New Douglas Park.
These are two sides at opposite sides of the spectrum, as Ayr climb back into third place, while Accies are facing a serious fight to retain their status.
John Rankin's side are rooted to the bottom of the table, following Arbroath's draw with Morton on Friday night, as they head into next weekend's SPFL Trust Trophy final against Raith Rovers.
A Ben Dempsey penalty put Ayr on their way to victory in 12 minutes, and Sam Ashford doubled that lead in 27 minutes, leaving Accies with a mountain to climb.
It was no more than the Honest Men deserved from a first half they dominated, and with the wind clearly going out of Accies' sails, they didn't have a lot to offer. In truth, they were lucky it was only 2-0.
The second half was much the same, with Ayr passing up several gilt-edged opportunities to further their lead.
Striker Dipo Akinyemi, alone, could have had a hat-trick.
Arbroath's 1-1 draw with Morton on Friday night put Hamilton bottom of the table on goal-difference, so they needed at least a point from this.
Accies boss John Rankin made four changes from the side that drew 0-0 with Arbroath last time out. Captain Dylan McGowan came back into the side and Reegan Mimnaugh, Chris McGinn and Andy Winter came in for Matty Shiels, Dylan Stephenson, Lucas De Bolle and suspended Scott Martin. New signing Benny Ashley-Seal was on the bench.
Ayr gaffer Lee Bullen made four changes to the line-up that crashed out of the Scottish Cup quarter-finals at Falkirk on Monday night. Goalkeeper Charlie Albinson came in for Aidan McAdams, and Nick McAllister, Andy Murdoch and Daire O'Connor came in for Jordan Houston, Mark McKenzie and Chris Maguire.
Ayr nearly made the breakthrough in 10 minutes when Daire O’Connor broke down the left and crossed for Sam Ashford, but his volley was well blocked by Chris McGinn.
But the visitors took the lead from the spot when Dan O'Reilly handled during a tussle with Ashford, and referee Calum Scott immediately pointed to the spot.
Dempsey stepped up and rifled in his ninth goal of the season.
Ayr doubled their lead in 27 minutes when Dipo Akinyemi put Ashford through and he buried the ball into the bottom right corner.
The game fell somewhat flat after that, with Ayr not needing to add to their tally and Hamilton seemingly unable to get into it.
Ayr did nearly add a third, however, in 38 minutes when captain Sean McGinty sent an angled header inches past the left post.
O'Connor sent Ashford to the left post with a great incisive ball in 47 minutes, but he couldn't quite catch it, much to Accies' relief.
McAlear's cross from the right was inches too far ahead of Akinyemi in 49 minutes as Ayr tried to absolutely seal the points.
Akinyemi had a shot well saved by Fulton from a Paddy Reading cross in 56 minutes.
Reegan Mimnaugh's free kick was met with a towering header by O'Reilly in 65 minutes, but it was an easy catch for Charlie Albinson in the Ayr goal.
Fulton gathered at Akinyemi's feet on the edge of his box in 76 minutes to keep the score down.
Dempsey sent a shot fizzing past the left post in 80 minutes, with Fulton scrambling to meet it.
The Accies keeper did make a fine save to deny McAlear in 85 minutes, from a good Reading cross.
HAMILTON: Fulton, McGinn, McGowan, Owens, O'Reilly, Tumilty, Mimnaugh, Sparrow (Redfern, 46), C. Smith (De Bolle, 63), Winter (Ashley-Seal, 46), Tiehi (Stephenson, 67).
Subs (not used): J. Smith (GK), Easton, Zanatta, L. Smith, Lawson.
AYR UTD: Albinson, Reading, McGinty, Musonda, McAllister, Murdoch (Smith, 85), McAlear, Dempsey, Ashford (Mitchell-Lawson, 76), O'Connor (Maguire, 71), Akinyemi (Bryden, 85).
Subs (not used):- McAdams (GK), Hewitt, Bilham, Kirk, McKenzie.
Booked: McAlear (30), McAllister (44)
Referee: Calum Scott.
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