JEROME VAREILLE struck a superb hat-trick but it wasn’t enough for Ayr as they surrendered a two goal lead for the third time in five weeks.
The Frenchman had United coasting at 2-0 up inside nine minutes but more slack defending cost Robert Connor’s men the three points at Forthbank.
Vareille had returned from injury to lead the Ayr attack and took less than two minutes to stamp his mark on the game by slamming the visitors in front.
A Paul Hyslop corner from the right wasn’t properly cleared by the Stirling defence and when the ball broke to Vareille, he made no mistake in chesting down and burying the ball from six yards.
And Ayr were in familiar territory in the 9th minute as they strode two goals clear when Vareille pounced on a poor passback by Paul Hay and clipped the ball over home keeper Robert Giacomi to double the advantage.
However, defensive nerves were fluttering just five minutes later as Stirling got back into the game when ex-Ayr man Paddy Connolly struck from close range after a lay-off from Robert Dunn.
Despite the setback Ayr were in control of the game and looked by far the better side, summed up with a lovely move in the 34th minute which saw a long series of passes end with Andy Reid firing wide.
A minute later Vareille came close to grabbing his hat-trick when Hyslop stormed down the right and delivered a vicious ball into the box for the big striker but Giacomi was equal to his effort.
And just as Ayr looked safe with their lead heading into half-time, Stirling levelled with a driven free-kick from Hay which flew through the wall and past Mark McGeown.
But Ayr were back on top at the start of the second half and took just five minutes to snatch back their lead when Reid crossed for Vareille who beat a flapping Giacomi to the ball and headed home to complete a cracking hat-trick.
However, the joy lasted for less than sixty seconds as the Binos remarkably pulled level again after Connolly set-up Dunn in acres of space to fire home from 12 yards.
Stirling had scored with their only three efforts on target but Ayr remained the likelier side in front of goal and Vareille almost grabbed his fourth of the afternoon when galloping through, only to blast high and wide on the run.
But with United pushing for a winner, it was Stirling who blew the best chance on the counter attack when Stewart Devine robbed Mark Casey on the edge of the box before firing well over when he only had McGeown to beat.
Ayr huffed and puffed but never seriously tested the shaky looking Giacomi in the Stirling goal. Only Dougie Ramsay managed to warm the palms of the Canadian late on with a 25 yard drive which was comfortably saved.
Report from Ayr United Official Website