Last updated on .From the section Scottish Championship

Daniel Harvie's opener sent Ayr on their way to victory

Striker Lawrence Shankland endured a miserable return to his former club as Ayr United ended Dundee United's winning start and joined them at the top of the Scottish Championship.

Daniel Harvie fired Ayr ahead and Alan Forrest's penalty clinched the points.

Nicky Clark and Cammy Smith hit the post for the visitors but Ayr were worthy winners.

United, above Ayr on goal difference, have now lost their last three trips to Somerset Park without scoring.

Shankland netted 63 goals in two seasons for Ayr before moving to Tannadice this summer but was kept quiet by his old team-mates.

Robbie Neilson's side have now suffered back-to-back defeats including their Challenge Cup exit at home to Arbroath last weekend.

Ayr United manager Ian McCall: "At times we outplayed United and they couldn't get near us. They have one main player and we nullified him pretty comfortably. Some of our football was a joy to watch.

"The players were very up for it because there were comments from Dundee United when Lawrence went up there that he would get better coaching. They can feel free to send him down for a week and we'll get him coached properly again."

Dundee United manager Robbie Neilson: "There was a penalty incident in the first half we should have got, but our performance before the break wasn't enough. The service to Lawrence wasn't good enough."