The Peterhead team were outperformed by a stronger Ayr side, who scored late in both halves to secure all three points and second place in the league.

The Blue Toon have dropped to fourth place, following the disheartening 2-0 defeat at Somerset Park.

Cooper commented: "I'm obviously very disappointed at losing on Saturday. For really the first time this season, apart from the first half against Brechin, we never performed like we can and have done.
"Too many players on the day did not perform to the standard they have set against a strong Ayr side."

The Peterhead team was also hindered by a string of injuries, which prevented several players from participating fully in the match.
Cooper said: "We were dealt a blow with Neil McVitie not making it due to a knee injury and we missed his presence in the middle of the park.
"We then lost Martin Skinner early in the match due to a back knock and his replacement Bobby Mann then had to come off after injuring his ankle in the second half."

Nevertheless, Cooper will be expecting much more from his players in their next league fixture.

He said: "I'm looking for a much improved all-round performance from the players when we return to league action at home to East Fife a week on Saturday and over the next few days, we will be looking at actions we can take to add strength to the squad.

"We need more from the midfield players and the strikers as I felt that Ayr dominated our midfield area.

"I felt sorry for David Donald, who has been so good for Peterhead and reliable, when he gave away the penalty which allowed Ayr to go 1-0 up with only a minute to go in the first half and although I'm disappointed, it is the first time we have been beaten away from home this season."

The Blue Toon manager did take some positives from the game and singled out a few players for praise.

He said: "I think Michael Kula got some good saves, but he was slack on a few occasions with his throw outs and this put us under pressure.
"We have talked about it now and hopefully he has learned from this."
Gary McDonald, David Donald and Daniel Moore were dubbed the 'best performers' of the match.

Commenting on recent revelations that former Peterhead boss, Steve Paterson, is receiving help to deal with gambling problems, Cooper said: "Hopefully he can sort out his problems down in England, because he is a very nice and likeable person.

"Although things didn't work out at Peterhead for him, I'm sure everyone at the club wishes him all the best."