Second-half goals by Paul Di Giacomo and Gary McSwegan gave Killie a hard-earned but deserved victory over Livingston.

Killie were more positive from the start and Stephen Murray brought out a fine save from Javier Sanchez Broto with a spectacular drive in the third minute.

Six minutes later, Kris Boyd attempted to catch Broto off his line but the Spaniard adjusted well to save.

Livi were ineffective in the opening stages and could only muster a weak header after 13 minutes by Eugene Dadi, which was never going to threaten Gordon Marshall.

(Photos from SNS & used with permission)

It was fully 20 minutes before Marshall was tested - Davide Xausa found Francisco Quino on the edge of the box, but his neat volley lacked power.

At the other end, Boyd should have done better with his finish after 24 minutes, after a neat interchange with Paul Di Giacomo.

(Photos from SNS & used with permission)

Quino had another opportunity but struck a half-chance straight at Marshall, as Livi finally began to inch their way into the game.

Marvin Andrews was unlucky not to score with two good headers in succession, Marshall coming to Killie's rescue again.

Cherif Toure-Maman went agonisingly close after speeding past three Kilmarnock defenders only for Marshall to parry his shot and Dadi could only spoon wide from two yards.

Livingston were first to threaten in the second half with an 18-yard strike by Juanjo Camacho but, once again, Marshall dealt with the danger.

The game livened up as the half wore on and Xausa should have done better with a long-range shot that went a fraction wide of the post on the hour mark.

Kilmarnock finally made the breakthrough in the 64th minute.

(Photos from SNS & used with permission)

Shaun Dillon's cross clipped the crossbar and, after the ball was turned back by Peter Canero, Paul Di Giacomo rifled a 12-yard shot in off the post.

With the match in stoppage time, Kilmarnock scored the killer second.

(Photos from SNS & used with permission)

Jamie Fowler dispossessed Gus Bahoken on the right and squared the ball across the face of the goal for substitute Gary McSwegan to tap home a tidy finish, for his first goal for the club (above).

(Photos from SNS & used with permission)

Kilmarnock: Marshall, Fowler, Shields, Dindeleux, Dillon, Canero, Mahood, Fulton, Murray (Hay 88), Boyd (Locke 80), Di Giacomo (McSwegan 75).

Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Quitongo.

Attendance: 5,270

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