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Craig Moore fired a brace as Ayr United proved too strong for Partick Thistle

Ayr United ensured a miserable return for Ian McCall as they thrashed Partick Thistle to keep in touch at the Scottish Championship summit.

Craig Moore scored in each half, his first after 10 minutes and his second just after the break was a stunning hit from 25 yards. In between, Michael Moffat headed in and Alan Forrest added a fourth after 52 minutes.

Joe Cardle netted a consolation for Thistle, who remain bottom after a third consecutive defeat under McCall, who left Ayr for Thistle in September.

The Firhill side offered very little in response to Ayr's rampant display, with Forrest especially showing great pace and skill. Indeed, he could have added to the hosts' first-half tally on a couple of occasions.

Ayr United manager Mark Kerr: "I'm loving my life as a manager, I've waited for my opportunity and I'm pinching myself that I've got a team at the top of the Championship.

"I know what I can bring to this club, the boys know what I can bring and I know what they can give me so I'm comfortable in the role right now."

Partick Thistle manager Ian McCall: "It was a difficult afternoon. We were really, really poor, and they were very, very good. So not good enough, and I include myself in that.

"We let everybody down. It was lacklustre. The desire wasn't there. I'm absolutely gutted and I hope the players are, I'm sure they are."