Ayr United manager Jim Duffy says the Honest Men must rally from their 4-0 loss to Partick Thistle ahead of their clash against Queen of the South this weekend.

Ayr were well beaten a fortnight ago at Fir Park in Duffy’s debut as full time manager.

Goals from ex-Ayr player Cammy Smith, Brian Graham, Zak Rudden and an own goal from Sean McGinty gave the hosts a comprehensive victory.

The result saw Ayr drop down to seventh in the

Scottish Championship table.

They are one place below and only one point behind this Saturday’s opponents Queen of the South.

Duffy said: “When you have a bad result it is about how you respond to it, that has and always will be the case.

“The good teams when you have a positive result back it up again and again, that is why they are top teams. The teams that fluctuate are the teams that every now and again have a performance that goes against the

grain.

“So for me it is about trying to get a positive response and make sure performances like the one against Patrick are very few and far between.”