The play-off chasing pair were locked at 1-1 after Callum Smith put the visitors ahead before Ben Dempsey levelled for Ayr.

Substitute Ruth, who got the only goal against Airdrie on Saturday, then sealed it with an 88th-minute effort that leaves both teams tied on 34 points.

In League One, Peterhead closed the gap on the play-off places to two points with a 3-1 home win over third-placed Alloa.

The Blue Toon were two up by the half-hour mark through Kieran Shanks and Craig McGuffie, with Peter Pawlett adding a third before Calum Waters hit back late on.

Dumbarton moved five points clear of the bottom of League Two with a 2-0 win against Stranraer.

Mark Durnan and Scott Honeyman hit the target inside 17 minutes for Frank McKeown’s side.

Annan beat Elgin 2-1 at Galabank, Aidan Smith settling it with eight minutes left after Mark Gallagher cancelled out player-manager Wullie Gibson’s penalty.