A first-half Kris Boyd goal gave a weakened
Kilmarnock side a 1-0 win against Livingston.
Killie were forced into changing half a team
through suspensions and injury but, in a dour spectacle, they battled
bravely to hang on to Boyd's 42nd-minute opener.
A poor first half appeared to be heading into the
break goalless until Boyd popped up inside the Livi box to send a Craig
Dargo pass into the corner of the net.
It was one of the few real chances created by
either side but was enough to win the points.
The visitors looked sharp enough in the early
stages and Alan Mahood saw his effort from outside the box go high over
the bar.
On the half-hour mark, Livi midfielder Cherif
Toure-Maman made a great surging run from the midfield but his final pass
at the edge of the Killie box was easily cut.
But then the visitors took the lead when Dargo
picked up the ball 20 yards from goal, threaded it to Boyd inside the box
and the big striker toe-poked a shot into the corner of the net.
The visitors continued to look dangerous after
the break and in the 56th minute Alan Mahood had a decent chance when the
ball fell to his feet only eight yards out but the midfielder mis-kicked
and the danger was gone.
At the other end a tame Stuart Lovell left-footed
shot from just inside the box was easily saved by Gordon Marshall.
The lively Canero left Andrews for dead on the
by-line but his angled shot was saved by Broto at the expense of a corner.
As the second half drew to a close the home side
threw men forward as they pressed desperately for an equaliser.
There was little finesse about
their play and the Rugby Park men seemed comfortable defending their
slender lead although Bingham forced Marshall into a good close-range
block.
Killie substitute Jose Quitongo, on for Ally
Mitchell in the 90th minute, smashed a late shot off the post.
Kilmarnock: Marshall, Shields, McLaughlin,
Dindeleux, Hessey, Canero (Fowler 82), Fulton, Mahood, Mitchell (Quitongo
90), Boyd, Dargo.
Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Hay, Innes.
Booked: McLaughlin, Boyd.
Att: 7,416
Baz's Comments
"Kris Boyd is going to be a very good player...
espec if he gains some upper body strength" (baz ... wanna gee him some o
yours ?) "He held the ball up very well at the end, to help maintain
possession!"
"It was great to see Bully back today... he gave
his usual 110+% !"
"The fans were fantastic again... and we sang oor
hearts oot fur 80+ mins today !"
"Livingston is a no fun place... sit doon.. put
yer flags away...nae swearing...nae colours in ra pubs.....nae carry-oots...just
nae fun !"
