ON-loan Ayr United midfield ace Steven Kelly enjoyed the last laugh on Rangers team-mate Robbie McCrorie as his fine finish beat him to secure a 1-0 home win against Queen of the South.

And he paid tribute to United boss Ian McCall after helping the Honest Men chalk up a second win out of three in the Ladbrokes Championship to maintain their fine start to the season.

He said after the match: “I got the ball on the edge of the box and hit it first time and it went into the top corner. Robbie gave me a bit of stick this morning but it was a bit of banter. Robbie is a top goalie and up there with the best in the league along with our ‘keeper Ross Doohan. It was good to score a goal like that. We deserved to win at Dundee. It wasn’t pretty today but at least we got the win. I thought I did well. You might not always be able to play the best football but if you’re still turning out results you can take a positive.

“Ian tells me to play my own game and express myself, he is trying to help me with the defensive side of the game.”

Kelly on Saturday will come up against another fellow Ranger, Cammy Palmer when United play Partick Thistle.

He said: “I’ve played with Cammy for years and know him well. It should be a good game and we’ll no doubt catch up midweek. It was a big win for us and another massive game at Firhill before we play Dundee United.”

McCall felt his team were a touch lucky to win.

He said: “I felt Queens deserved a draw. Ross Doohan made a great save in each half. It’s a great three points, that’s four games at Somerset and we have won three and drawn one so I’m pleased. Ross is some player and Steven Kelly is a great boy who has a real chance in the future.”