Killie's inconsistent
play of late with good then bad performances resurfaced today, allowing
Aberdeen to pick up their first win at Rugby Park since 1995.
Some had called for Dons manager Steve Paterson to be sacked following
last weekend's dismal 3-0 home defeat by Livingston.
But he was able to recall Booth from injury and the summer signing
responded by setting up David Zdrilic for the opening goal then adding the
third himself.
In between, Steve Tosh had contributed a superb solo goal as Aberdeen
ended a run of 13 visits to the Ayrshire town without a victory.
A Colin Nish reply came to late to prevent Aberdeen claiming their
first away win of the season.
Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies - ironically the man touted as
Paterson's replacement - brought back fit-again striker Danny Invincibile
into his starting line-up.
Phil McGuire and Eric Deloumeaux were drafted into the Aberdeen side,
but it was the introduction of Booth that proved the most significant
change.
The former Scotland striker made his presence felt after just over two
minutes, when Zdrilic flicking home his low cross.
Aberdeen swept forward again and a Paul Sheerin drive from 25 yards was
well held on the line by Francois Dubourdeau.
Kris Boyd missed a glorious chance to equalise in the ninth minute,
when the in-form striker fired wide of an open goal after good work by
Sean Hessey.
Killie were soon to rue that missed opportunity, when Tosh jinked past
three defenders and slotted the ball into the net.
Booth almost netted the visitors' third goal in the 21st minute, but
his shot from a Scott Muirhead cross came back off the face of the
crossbar.
Drives from Kevin McNaughton and Sheerin also threatened the Killie
goal.
The home side were looking disjointed but almost got back into the game
when Invincible prodded the ball just wide.
Booth ended any hope Killie had by grabbing the third goal two minutes
after the break, netting from close in within two minutes of the restart
after good build-up play by McNaughton and Tosh.
Dons skipper Russell Anderson limped off injured after 60 minues to be
replaced by 18-year-old Alexander Diamond and Killie almost took advantage
immediately when substitute Nish had a header well saved by David Preece.
Colin Nish made the breakthrough after 67 minutes, when
the former Dunfermline Athletic striker stabbed the ball into the corner
of the net after Freddie Dindeleux's header from Steve Fulton's free-kick
came back off the crossbar. This was Nish's first goal for the club!
Kilmarnock: Dubourdeau,
Shields (Nish 53 mins), Dindeleux, Hessey, Fowler (Murray 53 mins),
Fulton, Locke, Hardie, Canero, Boyd, Invincibile (McSwegan 72 mins)
Attendance: 6,023
