MIDFIELD ace Ross Docherty and manager Ian McCall are setting their sights on taking Ayr United straight back to the Championship, after they were relegated to League One.

Needing to beat hosts Raith Rovers 5-0 at Stark's Park on Saturday to make the play-offs, they lost 2-1 to the Fifers, meaning their stay in the second tier ended after just one season.

McCall was bitterly disappointed and said: "I am gutted. I take responsibility for relegation, this is the first time it has happened to me. The second half was much better, Ross Docherty scored a great goal and had two or three chances, but it encapsulates our season when Alan Forrest missed a penalty - he’s never looked like missing a penalty all season."

Looking ahead he said: "The aim will be to go straight back up to the Championship."

The boss hopes to build the team around Alan Forrest, Craig McGuffie, Robbie Crawford and Ross Docherty.

But he added: "We will have to see who is staying or going and I will have to talk to the players first."

Sportscene understand other clubs are sniffing around Docherty, skipper Nicky Devlin, goalie Greg Fleming and Crawford.

Docherty, who is out of contract said: "I would like to stay at Ayr and will hopefully get an offer. There have been some highs - in the first quarter we did well but that's possibly because we were an unknown quantity. We had a great win at Hibs but then had a form dip. The fans have given us great backing and hopefully we can right back up again."

Meanwhile Fleming has recovered after being treated in hospital but released on Saturday night with a neck and head injury. Striker Craig Moore, who suffered a cheek and shoulder injury is also okay.