Cowdenbeath are on course to preserve their status in the Scottish Championship after beating Ayr United at Somerset Park.

The Blue Brazil, who were condemned to a playoff after a stoppage-time equaliser from Queen of the South last Saturday, quickly put that heartache behind them when Greg Stewart gave them the lead early on.

David Hutton in the Ayr United goal was the far busier keeper and needed to pull off a number of first-half saves to keep his side in the contest before it had really got going.

However, the visitors managed to double their advantage on 36 minutes when Stewart again struck.

Ayr did pull a goal back with 12 minutes remaining when Gordon Pope netted for the hosts, but Cowdenbeath held on for victory and will hope to finish the tie off in the second leg on Saturday at Central Park.