Ayr United manager Lee Bullen applauded his side’s work from set plays as they proved crucial in their 2-1 win over Inverness at the weekend.

The Honest Men went into the Scottish Championship clash in high spirits after their derby win over Kilmarnock a fortnight ago.

Bullen stuck with the same XI that were victorious at Rugby Park and they started brightly at the Caledonian Stadium, taking the lead midway through the half.

Kerr McInroy’s corner being headed in by skipper Sean McGinty for his second goal involvement in as many games.

In the second half, United doubled their advantage, with a set play at the heart of the move.

McInroy’s free kick being deflected into the path of Mark McKenzie in the box.

The young forward flashed a shot across goal which was turned in by sub Tomi Adeloye for his 11th goal of the season.

Not long after the Honest Men’s second, the hosts were reduced to ten men when David Carson was shown a second yellow.

Despite the man disadvantage Inverness grabbed a goal back late on through Lewis Nicholson.

However, the Honest Men stood firm for their second win on the spin as they now sit seventh in the table.

Speaking to the Advertiser, Bullen said: “We do work on set plays quite a lot and nine times out ten it is all about deliveries.

“But we try to work on different things just to get opposition teams thinking about it.

“So, it was pleasing that we are getting on the end of the quality deliveries now and hopefully the players take confidence from that and we can get one or two more.”

Next up for Ayr is another league game this weekend at home against Queen of the South.

Despite the Doonhamers occupying bottom spot it is not a game Bullen is taking lightly.

He said: “People will look at our last two results and see Queens are bottom of the league and say we are favourites.

“Which we probably are on paper but we have got to keep our feet firmly planted on the ground.

“It is about managing the expectation levels and seeing it through.”