Billy Mckay hit a hat-trick as Ross County beat Ladbrokes Championship title rivals Ayr United 3-2 in a thrilling match in Dingwall on Tuesday night to move eight points clear of the Honest Men. Lawrence Shankland and Andy Murdoch twice had Ayr level but Mckay had the final say with 15 minutes left.
Dundee United are five points back in second place after a Nicky Clark penalty saw off Inverness CT 1-0 at Tannadice while Gregor Buchanan scored late on as Morton edged out Queen of the South 1-0 at Cappielow. Bruce Anderson grabbed a double to help move Dunfermline Athletic to within two points of the play-offs as they beat bottom club Partick Thistle 3-0 at East End Park.
It was a night of draws in Ladbrokes League 1. Runaway leaders Arbroath drew 1-1 at East Fife, with Darren Jamieson saving a Mark Docherty penalty to preserve their unbeaten away record. Second-placed Raith Rovers drew 2-2 away to Dumbarton, with Kevin Nisbet scoring a stoppage-time equaliser for the visitors. Stranraer drew 1-1 with bottom club Stenhousemuir at Stair Park.
Scott Brown was the matchwinner as Peterhead beat Cowdenbeath 1-0 at Balmoor to go top of Ladbrokes League 2. Clyde are just four points behind after defeating Stirling Albion 1-0 at Forthbank to make it 15 games unbeaten and Annan Athletic strengthened their grip on fourth place thanks to a 2-1 victory at struggling Berwick Rangers. Elgin City hit back to draw 2-2 with Queen's Park at Borough Briggs.
