Match ends, Ayr United 4, East Fife 1.
AyrAyr United4East FifeEast Fife1
Craig Malcolm fired a hat-trick to secure Ayr United's play-off place by thumping an East Fife side who at least avoided outright relegation.
Arbroath drop to League Two after their defeat by Airdrieonians, while the Fifers face the League Two play-offs.
Liam Buchanan's headed consolation goal for them came eight minutes from time.
Brian Gilmour scored the other goal for an Ayr side who have been in the top four in League One all season and remain in the hunt for promotion.
After Craig Johnstone had hit the bar for the visitors early on, Ayr took the lead three minutes before the break when Malcolm's lobbed finish gave them a half-time lead.
The striker picked up where he left off after the break, with two-close range finishes completing his hat-trick.
Ayr now host Cowdenbeath in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, East Fife travel to Cumbernauld to face Clyde, who finished fourth in League Two, in their League One play-off semi-final first leg.
Line-ups
Ayr
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Hutton
- 2Hunter
- 3Pope
- 6Gilmour
- 4CampbellSubstituted forMcAuslandat 31'minutes
- 5Lithgow
- 7Forrest
- 8McLaughlin
- 10MalcolmSubstituted forShanklandat 76'minutes
- 9Moffat
- 11Donald
Substitutes
- 12Kyle
- 14Shankland
- 15Crawford
- 16Marenghi
- 17McGowan
- 18McAusland
- 19Newman
East Fife
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Paterson
- 2Thom
- 3Johnstone
- 6O'NeillSubstituted forAustinat 59'minutes
- 4Campbell
- 5Mbu
- 7Durie
- 8StewartSubstituted forBarrat 71'minutes
- 10Smith
- 19Buchanan
- 11McBrideSubstituted forClarkeat 76'minutes
Substitutes
- 12Cowan
- 14Barr
- 15McKenzie
- 16Austin
- 17Clarke
- 18Maskrey
- 21Rooney
- Referee:
- Crawford Allan
- Attendance:
- 1,952
Match Stats
Home TeamAyrAway TeamEast Fife
- Possession
- Home48%
- Away52%
- Shots
- Home9
- Away14
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away8
- Corners
- Home6
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away5
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Ayr United 4, East Fife 1.
Post update
Corner, Ayr United. Conceded by Craig Johnstone.
Post update
Attempt missed. Brian Gilmour (Ayr United) header from the centre of the box is too high.
Post update
Foul by Brian Gilmour (Ayr United).
Post update
Scott Durie (East Fife) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Attempt saved. Nathan Austin (East Fife) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner.
Goal!
Goal! Ayr United 4, East Fife 1. Liam Buchanan (East Fife) header from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Lewis Barr following a corner.
Post update
Corner, East Fife. Conceded by Gordon Pope.
Post update
Foul by Kyle McAusland (Ayr United).
Post update
Lewis Barr (East Fife) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Corner, Ayr United. Conceded by Steven Campbell.
Post update
Attempt missed. Michael Donald (Ayr United) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
Post update
Corner, East Fife. Conceded by Brian Gilmour.
Substitution
Substitution, Ayr United. Mark Shankland replaces Craig Malcolm.
Substitution
Substitution, East Fife. Pat Clarke replaces Scott McBride.
Goal!
Goal! Ayr United 4, East Fife 0. Brian Gilmour (Ayr United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Craig Malcolm.
Post update
Corner, Ayr United. Conceded by Joe Mbu.
Substitution
Substitution, East Fife. Lewis Barr replaces Jonathan Stewart.
Post update
Attempt saved. Michael Moffat (Ayr United) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the bottom left corner.
