Airdrie fell to a disappointing defeat at home to Ayr United in a game that had a distinct end-of-season feel to it, and won't live long in the memory. With relegation already determined, by dint of Hamilton's 15-point deduction and Airdrie stuck in the play-off slot, there was nothing riding on this game, and it showed. Ben Dempsey gave Ayr the lead just before half-time, in what had been a scrappy first half. Airdrie player-boss Rhys McCabe had a free kick saved, and Liam McStravick should have done better than fire past the post, and at the other end, Dylan Watret had a header well saved. The second half was played in much the same vein, though Ayr went close through sub Curtis Main and Jay Henderson. Airdrie had an eye on their relegation play-off, which at the moment is likely to be against Alloa Athletic on Tuesday and Saturday. Ayr had their own considerations, with Partick Thistle looming in the play-offs of the Premiership direction. As a result, and with nothing riding on this game, there wasn't much to it. Airdrie boss Rhys McCabe made five changes to the side that drew 0-0 at Dunfermline last weekend. Craig Watson was made captain in place of Adam Frizzell, and boss Rhys McCabe brought himself back into the side, alongside Flynn Duffy, Lewis McGregor and Gavin Gallacher. Mason Hancock, Dylan MacDonald, Dean McMaster and Chris Mochrie dropped out. Ayr United gaffer Scott Brown made six changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Queen's Park. George Stanger, Lenny Agbaire, Pat Reading, Cole McKinnon, Ethan Walker and Jay Henderson came in for Frankie Musonda, Nick McAllister, Scott McMann, Connor McLennan, Marco Rus, Jamie Murphy and Mark McKenzie. Airdrie went close in the second minute with a decent move, but Watson fired over from just inside the box. McCabe had a go with a rifled free kick from the right, which keeper Josh Clarke did well to punch away from the left post corner in 11 minutes. Ayr had their first real dig at goal in 31 minutes when Ethan Walker picked up a pass on the edge of the box, but fired over. Two minutes later Jake Hastie's cross from the left was met with a Dylan Watret looping header, which was well clawed over by Cade Melrose. Liam McStravick picked up a stray pass in 40 minutes and raced in on goal but slipped his shot past the left post. But Ayr took the lead in 43 minutes when Jake Hastie's corner from the right was headed in at the back post by Dempsey. Curtis Main should have made it 2-0 in 47 minutes, but slipped his shot inches past the right post on an angle. Sam Graham headed an Ethan Walker corner off the line in 51 minutes as Ayr tried to add to their advantage. Ayr had a chance to add to their lead in 66 minutes when Walker took advantage of a defensive blunder and held the ball up for Jay Henderson, but he blazed well over. Ben Wilson should haven snatched a point for Airdrie in 89 minutes when he raced onto a through-ball, rounded Josh Clarke, but saw his shot cleared by Lenny Agbaire. At the other end, Henderson sent a shot fizzing past the right post. AIRDRIE: Melrose, Strapp, Watson, Graham, Duffy, McCabe (McMaster, 61), McGregor, Gallacher (D. Williams, 61), Armstrong (McGrattan, 66), Diack (B. Wilson, 66), McStravick (C. Williams, 61) Subs (not used): Wright (GK), MacDonald, Hancock, Bannon Bookings: McStravick (45), Armstrong (56) AYR UTD: Clarke, Stanger (McAllister, 67), Agbaire, Reading (McMann, 61), Watret, Dempsey (McLennan, 61), McKinnon (Rus, 29), Hastie, Henderson, Walker, Oakley (Main, 46) Subs (not used): Mutch (GK), Murphy, McKenzie Bookings: McMann (74), Main (86) Referee: Steve Kirkland Attendance: 1637