East Fife may have survived automatic relegation thanks to results elsewhere but manager Gary Naysmith was far from happy after this heavy defeat.
A Craig Malcolm hat-trick under-pinned United’s victory, a result which takes the Honest Men into the play-offs heading in the opposite direction.
But Naysmith must lift his side for a two-leg affair with Clyde and is poised to ring the changes.
He said: “They’ve got to deliver on the pitch and after the second goal today they chucked it and it was like a slap in the face to me and the chairman.
“I’ll not stand for it. That’s probably the most disappointed I’ve been all season as a manager. It’s the first time I’ve looked on the pitch and thought several of them had just threw in the towel and it’s not acceptable for East Fife. There will be changes on Wednesday and none of them have any complaints.
“When I first came into the job there was so many problems the players could use as an excuse. We’ve taken all of them away now. They get treated as good as I’ve been treated all through my career. The chairman’s been unbelievable in that respect and he deserves better.”
The visitors started well but a mistake from Greg Paterson right before half-time allowed Malcolm to nip in and score the first goal of his treble.
After that Ayr continued to dominate as Brian Gilmour eventually scored the fourth before Liam Buchanan pulled one back.
The Methil Men were only one point ahead of Arbroath at the start of play but were relieved to see the Angus side lose 2-0 against Airdrie.
Naysmith admitted after they went behind he had one eye on events at Airdrie.
He said: “We were the better team in the first half but a moment of stupidity from the defenders and the goalie has cost us.
“I didn’t pay much attention until we went 2-0 and after that we were relying on Airdrie to do us a favour.
“It’s a massive few weeks now and it’s vitally important we stay in this division. The players need to show that they want it.”