Ayr captain John Hughes scored his first goal for the club to help secure three points for the Somerset Park club in a 2-0 win over Clyde.

The visitors appeared to be heading for a point when Hughes rose to meet a Gary Teale free-kick with just 11 minutes remaining.

Ayr striker James Grady added a second two minutes from the end to clinch the points despite a spirited Clyde fightback.

The visitors started brightly and could have been ahead in the first minute when Steve Convery's goalbound header was cleared off the line by Michael Renwick.

Clyde continued to look the more likely side to score and Pat Keogh saw his powerful drive superbly saved by Marius Rovde.

With the play bogged down in midfield few chances were created but Ayr came closest to breaking the deadlock late in the first period when Pat McGinlay's shot on the turn flew inches past the frame of the goal.

Ayr started the second half in lively fashion and almost took the lead when Grady's cross was sliced by Clyde defender Gordon Greer over the head of his keeper but rebounded back off the post.

The visitors' defence then came under sustained pressure and Teale's shot drifted wide of the post when he was well placed to hit the target.

Glynn Hurst then set up team-mate Lee Sharp but his right-footed drive sailed over the bar.

Ayr brought on winger Mickey Reynolds in an attempt to boost their attack and within a minute Teale went on a run down the left but his shot was superbly saved by Bryn Halliwell.

It was all one-way traffic at this stage and the pacy Reynolds began tormenting the visitors' defence with some blistering runs and almost created a goal when his cut-back reached Teale but he failed to make good contact and the chance was gone.

The deadlock was finally broken with 11 minutes remaining when Teale's flighted free-kick was headed home by Hughes.

With only two minutes left Clyde keeper Halliwell gifted Ayr a second goal when he dropped the ball at the feet of Grady who was never going to miss from three yards.