Jamie Gullan fired a first-half double as William Hill Championship leaders St Johnstone bounced back from last week’s defeat with a 4-0 win at Morton.
Gullan struck his first after Cheick Diabate had headed Saints into an early lead and grabbed his second following Josh McPake’s effort, with all four goals coming inside 34 minutes as the visitors put the game to bed before the interval.
Saints, whose 3-1 defeat at Arbroath last Saturday was their first in the league this season, have opened up a three-point lead at the top after closest rivals Partick Thistle lost 2-0 at Raith.
Dylan Easton fired Raith in front early in the second half and Paul Hanlon added their second from close range following a corner as they halted a three-game losing run.
Ayr failed to take full advantage of Partick’s slip as they were left frustrated after being held to a goalless draw at 10-man Queen’s Park.
Home defender Henry Fieldson was shown a straight red in the ninth minute for his challenge on Dylan Watret and Raith goalkeeper Calum Ferrie helped keep the visitors at bay.
Arbroath were unable to follow-up last week’s win over St Johnstone as they went down to a 1-0 defeat at bottom club Airdrie, who clinched their first league win of the season.
Euan Henderson scored the only goal from the penalty spot early in the first half after he had been fouled by Scott Stewart.
Ronan Hale fired a second-half winner for Ross County, who registered their second league win of the season, 3-2 at home against Dunfermline.
Scott Fraser and Jordan White both struck inside the opening three minutes for County and although Dunfermline hit back to level through Andrew Tod and Connor Randall’s own goal, Hale had the last word.
