Ayr United secure top half status with victory at Inverness

Ayr United have secured their place in the top half of the SWF Championship ahead of the league split with an exciting victory against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Fourth-placed Ayr and Caley Thistle in fifth both have two games to make up before the league splits for a final three games, but the 5-2 victory for United lift them nine points ahead of their Highland rivals.

Clare Docherty opened the scoring with a free kick and Lyndsey Whiteside added to Ayr’s tally within the opening ten minutes of kick off. Docherty grabbed a second either side of a brace from Emma Dawson, with Iona MacArthur and Rhea Hossack netting for the hosts.

Elsewhere in the Championship, leaders Livingston remain eight points ahead at the top after beating Morton 3-0 in Port Glasgow thanks to a double from Shannon Mulligan and a header from Jess Murphy from a corner.

Second-placed Renfrew kept up with an impressive 4-1 victory in Dundee against Dryburgh Athletic and Rossvale beat Hutchison Vale 3-0 in Edinburgh.

In the Women’s League One, Champions FC Edinburgh brushed aside rivals Edinburgh Caledonia 7-1 in the Edinburgh derby, while the race for the second promotion slot heated up after Stenhousemuir came from behind to beat Westdyke 2-1 and leapfrog them into third place.

Falkirk ended St Mirren’s promotion hopes with a 4-0 victory to remain second in the table.

Giffnock Soccer Centre denied BSC Glasgow the point they needed to lift out of the relegation zone with a spirited comeback to win 3-2, while Airdrie ran out convincing 6-0 winners against Dundee West.

In the regional Biffa SWFL, Bonnyrigg Rose moved level on points with Linlithgow Rose in EAST after beating them 2-0, WEST leaders Harmony Row won comfortably 6-0 at home to Annan Athletic, Inverurie Locos beat Stonehaven 1-0 in NORTH and in SOUTH, Kilwinning brushed aside Nithsdale Wanderers 6-0.