Chris Aitken scored a brace as Ayr took a giant step towards the First Division play-off final with a comfortable victory away to Brechin.
The visitors went in front after only eight minutes when Aitken went on a solo run and placed his shot high into the net from the edge of the box.
Ayr doubled their lead on 36 minutes when Barry Smith fouled Bryan Prunty and Aitken scored from the spot.
The midfielder almost got his hat-trick with a lob that just missed the target.
Ettien and McAllister were booked for City while Ayr's Bryan Prunty received a yellow.
The result emphasised why Ayr finished 11 points ahead of Brechin in the regular league season but once again left supporters thinking 'what if' following United's 1-0 defeat at Brechin only a few weeks ago which effectively handed automatic promotion to Raith Rovers.
The secong leg will be at Somerset Park on Saturday afternoon and Ayr will be hoping for as an assured performance as last night to allow them to reach the final.