A late goal from Dennis Wyness virtually killed off Ayr's championship hopes as Inverness snatched a 1-0 win.

The Jags would have won with a good deal more ease if it had not been for a string of superb saves from Ayr goalkeeper Craig Nelson.

Thistle were first to mount any attack of substance and Nelson came to Ayr's rescue when he beat Martin Babidge to a fine throughball from Roy McBain after 18 minutes.

The home side maintained the pressure and Nelson produced two more excellent saves from Bobby Mann and Wyness soon after.

Against the run of play, Ayr nearly snatched the lead seven minutes before the break when James Grady headed inches over from Lee Sharp's cross.

But, after the restart, Nelson surpassed all of his previous efforts when he held a 30-yard effort from Paul Sheerin that was destined for the top corner.

With time running out, Inverness stepped up the pace and they found their reward when a corner from Robson caused confusion in the home defence allowing Wyness to steal in and bundle home from close range.