Finn Ecrepont played a starring role as the boyhood Ayr United fan made his first league start - 10 years after joining his beloved club.
The former Scotland youth full back was immense as The Honest Men stayed top of the Championship with a 2-0 win over Raith Rovers.
Ecrepont, deputising at right back for the injured Jordan Houston, was part of a makeshift backline earning only the fourth clean sheet of Ayr's league campaign.
And he admits the decade of waiting was worth it as he played a vital part in keeping Ayr on top.
Ecrepont, 20, told the Ayrshire Post: "First and foremost it's a massive thrill for me to pull on the shirt as an Ayr United fan.
"I've been here since I was 10 years old and absolutely love it.
"In fact, I've been here so long that I'm probably due a testimonial now!
"At times it's been hard because you have to stay patient and just wait for your chance to come.
"But I only have to look at the likes of Luke McCowan and how he bided his time to get in the team here before taking it from there.
"I just have to do the same and be ready to take those chances when they come."
Ecrepont didn't put a foot wrong as he moved from his natural position of left back over to the right hand side of the pitch.
He said: "I've played there before so know the position and the gaffer spoke to me about going in there if injuries happened.
"I've done it a couple of times for the reserves so I was confident in my ability to step in.
"As a unit we all defended really well - it didn't just come from the back four - and that allowed us to stick in today and get the result we needed.
"The most important thing was the three points. It might not have been the best game to watch but we are sitting top of the table and that's all that matters."
Under 18s full back, Dylan Watret, replaced Ecrepont in the closing stages as United's flourishing Academy setup was fully to the fore.
Ecrepont added: "Dylan has been playing for the reserves recently and been playing out his skin so it's brilliant to see him getting his chance as well - and it's fully deserved."
Boss Lee Bullen said: "I thought Finn was outstanding today and I was really surprised he didn't get man of the match.
"He's been knocking on my door now and again asking for an opportunity and he was brilliant when getting it here.
"He deserves a lot of credit for showing the patience and showing the attitude to play the position on that other side.
"We finished the game with five Academy prospects on the pitch and that's what a club like Ayr United has to be built on.
"Recruitment is a big part for us - and always will be - but we will never ignore the boys in our 18s who are doing well and coming up behind them."
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