Ben Dempsey insists Ayr United are ready to face their play-off demons when they collide with Partick Thistle. The two sides met in the Premiership play-off semi-final just two years ago, with Ayr on the end of an 8-0 aggregate thumping. But there's been much change at Somerset since, with Dempsey one of the few remaining squad members who endured that experience. And he insists that Ayr's new breed are ready to lay down a different marker when they head for Firhill in the first leg on Tuesday night. The skipper said: "The last play-off against Partick is still fresh in my mind having been here for it. It was embarrassing for us in the end and we've got to use that knowledge in terms of how we approach this game over the two legs. "First and foremost we've got to go there and put in a good performance on Tuesday night and then get them back to Somerset. That's the small advantage we get for finishing third so we need to try and make the most of it. "We've not had the best record up there this season so we want to go there and do a job. They're going into the game on the back of two really good results, and we know they're a really good side, but so are we." Dempsey ensured that Ayr teed up their big week with a win at Airdrie on Friday night as his header sealed three points to round off the regular season. He laughed: "I think it's the first header I've ever scored and the first time I've even been in the box for a corner this season, so it's not a bad return! "It was important that we finished on a high and got a bit of momentum going into next week. It leaves us in a good place. "It's been a good season but we want more games now - so hopefully Tuesday and Friday can kickstart us in going on further now. "Everyone goes into the season wanting to be promoted and we've given ourselves a chance. But we're not looking too far ahead and all we can focus on is Partick just now."