Arbroath player-manager Paul Sheerin was dismayed by the lack of application his side showed in losing to Ayr United but the Gayfield boss has vowed to do everything he can to turn things around.
The Lichties have made a depressing start to the season, being eliminated from the Ramsden’s Cup and the League Cup prior to Saturday’s tame defeat in the opening League 1 fixture of the campaign.
Sheerin said: “That’s three games into the season and no wins. I’m really disappointed with what we have offered, particularly in the two home games, and it has been a real frustration.
“We’ve a tough game at Dunfermline next week so we’ll just have to work hard to rectify our problems. It’s still too early to press the panic button.
“I’m looking to add a couple of players and hopefully we can do that before next week, but if not we’ll keep striving to do something before the deadline.”
Michael Moffat, who scored all of Ayr’s goals in a 4-1 victory at Gayfield last season, was again the man who put the Lichties to the sword.
He scored twice in a three-minute spell early in the first half and also thumped a powerful effort against an upright.
It could have been worse for the home side as Gordon Pope rattled the frame of the goal and Craig Malcolm came close.
The final nail in Arbroath’s coffin was delivered by 16-year-old substitute Alan Forrest, younger brother of Celtic star James, who showed maturity to calmly net Ayr’s third just after the hour-mark.