An angry Jim Duffy admitted his Ayr side were played off the park as they capitulated in Dumfries.
United leaked another three goals on their way to a damaging defeat at Palmerston which saw fans vent their fury.
Ayr, who have now won just once in 12 cinch Championship games, were given a sound beating by fellow strugglers Queen of the South – leaving Duffy pulling no punches.
He said: "The reality is that we weren't good enough from the start to finish.
"Queen of the South were far better than us and also had a far better appetite for it than us.
"And the frustrating thing is that's not coming as a surprise.
"We knew the energy and tempo they would bring to the game but gave away a horrendous first goal.
"It's just a straightforward ball into the box and the guy is standing on his own and taps it into the net.
"We've tried to change things around in the team but no matter what combination we play, the same things keep happening."
Duffy added: "Right now what I have is a feeling of anger.
"We have to understand this is not the first time this has happened and far too many times the goals we have lost are similar.
"But it's not just that – too often we were second to the ball today and Queens had a real sharpness and spark about them whereas we were huffing and puffing.
"So many things weren't just frustrating – they leave you angry.
"You can lose games and be poor or not play well, but something like today really sticks in the throat."
The writing was on the wall for Ayr from early doors as Queens flew from the traps and dominated the game.
Calvin McGrory had already rattled the bar with a chance in the opening minutes before they took the lead from a corner.
Lee Connelly's delivery from the right found Euan East in acres of space and he volleyed home from the centre of the box.
Ayr should have been level soon after when East gifted possession to Tomi Adeloye, who ran through to score, only for the linesman's flag to wrongly intervene.
That was as good as it got for United who were almost two behind when Innes Cameron's point-blank header drew a brilliant stop from Aidan McAdams.
But Queens eventually did double their lead when Connelly's cross evaded the Ayr defence and Cameron stole in to score.
That sparked unsavoury scenes as Ayr trooped off in front of the visiting support at half-time, with angry supporters not slow in voicing their disapproval.
And if they hoped for a reaction, it was not forthcoming as Queens killed the game just moments after the restart.
Josh Todd, who was United's hero on the final day at Inverness last season, latched on to a great pass from Ruari Paton and slotted home from 12 yards.
From there it was a case of damage limitation and only some decent stops from McAdams and wasteful finishing from the hosts prevented a far wider margin of victory.
Cammy Salkeld clipped the bar late on as Ayr went close to some kind of consolation.
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here