Ayr United manager Lee Bullen says he was frustrated to fall to a 1-0 defeat in a two sided affair against Arbroath at the weekend.

The Honest Men went into the Scottish Championship clash keen to avenge their Ayrshire derby defeat to Kilmarnock a fortnight ago.

However, they knew it would be no easy task against an Abroath side fighting against Killie for the title.

The only goal of the game came in the second half at Gayfield Park via the head of Jack Hamilton.

Ayr then chased the match but were dealt a blow when Sam Ashford was shown red for a rash challenge on Jason Thomson.

The 10 men tried their best to find an equaliser in the final 12 minutes of the match.

However, they were ultimately unsuccessful as the Honest Men fell to a second successive defeat.

Speaking to the Advertiser, Bullen said: “It was a game of two halves.

“We were camped in their half in the first half and they were camped in our half second half.

“There was nothing in the game between either team and then it comes down to a set play again which was very disappointing.”

Next up for United is a huge six pointer against Greenock Morton in the race to avoid the drop.

Ashford will be unavailable after his sending off against the Red Lichties leaving the Honest Men without a striker for their trip to Cappielow.

However, Bullen says he hopes to welcome a few faces back to his squad for the crunch match.

He said: “Obviously, we have Sam’s issue, so it looks like we will be missing him for the Morton match.

“We were missing Ben Dempsey, Tomi Adeloye and Markus Fjortoft at the weekend.

“Markus because of suspension, with Tomi and Ben out due to knocks.

“We are hoping they will be back available for selection

“So, I am hoping that we will almost be at full strength come the weekend and give as good as we have got.

“It is a big game for both clubs and we are expecting a battle which we have to be ready for.”