PROUD Ayr boss Ian McCall saluted his side for a real "battling performance" as they racked up their first victory in a month to keep their promotion challenge alive.

They defeated an Albion Rovers side, who had beaten them in the season-opening league match, 3-1 at Cliftonhill to move within seven points of leaders Dunfermline Athletic.

A wonder goal from midfield ace Ryan Stevenson, who signed up for the rest of the season after leaving Partick Thistle, and a double from striker Jordan Preston helped seal an easy win.

McCall was most impressed with the performance and said: "The pitch was tough although it was the same for both teams. We had six players out injured but it was a real battling performance and we showed grit and determination. We could have had four, five or six goals as we had so many chances. I thought Alan Trouten and Alan Forrest had great games and worked really hard. It was an outstanding goal from Ryan Stevenson and Jordan Preston took his goals really well. Michael Wardrope came in and did really well, he is a good young player."

The manager welcomed Stevenson's decision to stay on and hopes he and others still stay on next season.

He added: "We are delighted to get Ryan signed up and hopefully we can tempt him to stay longer than this season. He has been really unlucky so far to have joined in the middle of an injury crisis which has stopped us from being able to play him where he is most effective. Ryan is an extremely fit guy however what he did lack was match fitness which is getting better week by week. There is no doubt he will be a huge player for us.I really feel we have the makings of aa good team and I'm hoping we can also hold on to the likes of Jordan Preston and Nicky Devlin next season."

United on Saturday host a Stenhousemuir side they have already beaten twice this season.

However McCall is expecting a tough test and said: "They are going well and chasing a playoff place. But we are at home and looking to win the match. We will be attacking and going all out to win the match."

The boss will not get caught up in any talk of a title challenge and added: "It has been difficult with players out and we are taking it a game at a time."

McCall is hopeful that Robbie Crawford and Brian Gilmour will return from injury for Saturday with Gerry McLauchlan also set to be back in action."

He will assess the fitness of Jamie Adams, Paddy Boyle and Ross Docherty later in the week.