GOALSCORER Declan McDaid sees no reason why Ayr United can't challenge for promotion after netting for the second time in two games.

The winger was encouraged with his performance and hopes manager Ian McCall will start making him an automatic first choice.

United are now sensationally being quoted by the bookies as third favourites at 5-1 for the league, after being priced at a much more generous 66-1 at the start of the season.

They now enjoy a week off before returning a week on Saturday for a top-of-the clash with Ross County at Victoria Park.

Former Partick Thistle ace McDaid said: "I was delighted to get the goal, I could actually have had a hat-trick. One hit the bar and another one I cut to Lawrence Shankland, but could have hit myself. But I will take the win and the three points are more important. I started last week and thought I would on Saturday. That made me more determined to do well again. I'm loving playing here."

Asked if they could challenge for the title, McDaid said: "I don't see why not, we are absolutely flying but have to keep up the hard work. I am a winger and he's a winger and I learn a lot from him."

McCall was impressed with the display and said later: "At times we played well but we can play better than that. When you compare the infrastructures of both clubs I'm not sure we should that far ahead of Dundee United but we were today.That's six or seven games at Somerset now and we've won every one.

"In 10 months we have lost three games and they have all gone through together and are hungry to do well, although that's tempered by the fact we are only eight games in. Mark Kerr played well and Declan McDaid could have had three or four. Declan is beating the door down to get a game and a lot of the other boys are wanting to play but we can only start with 11.

"It's a good position to be in going into the break. We will train all week and the players will get a break at the weekend. I rested Robbie Crawford because he's played every minute of every game. It should be a good game against Ross County and if we can win up there it will be a great way to end the first quarter of the season. The fans are fantastic and I'm sure they'll give us good backing."