Killie Are Promoted !

Kilmarnock (0) 2 Stirling Albion (1) 1
(Scottish League Division II, Match 35, Rugby Park, Apr 27th 1974)

A victory over Stirling Albion, would guarantee Killie back to the old Scottish First Division, after having been relegated one season earlier.

In typical Killie fashion nothing was ever done the easy way! Killie fell behind after only 6 min's to a goal from Lawson. Albion held their lead all the way to the half. Interestingly enough they were managed by former Killie legend, Frank Beattie.

It wasn't till Killie manager Willie Fernie, replaced the ineffective Jim McSherry with future Killie cult-hero Ian "Cowboy" McCulloch, in the 67th min that Killie truly started to tick.

In the 70th minute, McCulloch fought a lost cause to earn Killie a corner kick. Gordon Smith then flighted in an in swinging corner, in front of the Johnnie Walker enclosure, that Ian Fleming (left) headed home. The ball ended up looking very picturesque getting lodged in the top right netting where the stantion was located.

The 5,500+ Killie fans went wild as they could now see a return back to the top flight. (This was one of the few times in Killie's history That A*r Utd had played in a flight above them, so they very keen to reclaim their "Ayrshire's finest" title. Killie did re-capture the Ayrshire Cup on Pen's the following week!)

The game now was end to end, as Stirling came out of their shell with the game now tied. Killlie also had to be cautious to avoid a "slip-up". All that was to change in the 87 minute.

Eddie Morrison (right) latched onto a loose ball in the penalty box and smashed home a low rocket, from 14 yards, to ensure a win & Killie's promotion.

Kilmarnock  Stewart, Whyte, Ferguson, McSherry, (I McCulloch 65 min's) Rodman,  Sheed, Maxwell, Fleming, Smith, Morrison, Cook.

Attendance: 5,675