Having followed Killie my entire life, it is particularly special to pick up a late goal to get a much needed away 3 points! Even the the more special is I can now enjoy my 45th birthday, with a big smile smile on my face!.......... Allan

IF THIS is the kind of game which plastic inspires, then bring it on.

Energetic. Invigorating. A tale of the unexpected which Roald Dahl would have been proud of. There has been much talk of the supposed advantage which artificial turf will hand Dunfermline over the course of this controversial trial but although they demonstrated their familiarity with its nuances, it was Kilmarnock who magically rode over the carpet, two goals from Gary McSwegan seeing them soar to a victory.

It was all the more remarkable given that space on the physio's bench at Rugby Park is presently at a greater premium than tickets for the forthcoming MTV Awards. Jim Jeffries was shorn of no less than eight of his first-team pack. By necessity, if not design, newcomer Rhian Dodds was immediately pitched into the fray

Dunfermline boss Jimmy Calderwood had made one change after criticising his side following the dull, goalless draw with Livingston.

Lee Bullen dropped down to the bench, with Frenchman David Grondin taking his place.

Kilmarnock's Jim Jefferies was able to field a strong starting 11 despite having complained of an injury crisis.

But it was the home side who carved out the best two opportunities of the first 10 minutes.

Winger Sean Kilgannon hit a powerful 20-yard drive that goalkeeper Francois Dubourdeau did well to beat away.

Craig Brewster headed down for Barry Nicholson to thread a pass through for Crawford, but Dubourdeau again came to the rescue.

Crawford should have broken the deadlock after cutting inside marker Shaun Hessey, but the Scotland striker screwed his shot hopelessly wide from only 10 yards out.

Kilgannon was next to squander a chance, heading a Scott Wilson cross just wide.

Kilmarnock made Dunfermline pay for those misses by taking the lead after 24 minutes.

Kris Boyd clipped the ball over the home defence and Gary McSwegan made no mistake with a powerful drive into the roof of the net.

Killie's lead only last four minutes, Brewster's perfectly weighted pass setting up Crawford to drive his volley past Dubourdeau's poor attempt to block.

The former Motherwell keeper again looked uncomfortable seconds later as Grondin strode forward and unleashed a powerful drive that Dubourdeau beat away with his chest.

Dunfermline pressed for the winner, but goalkeeper Derek Stillie prevented Killie regaining the lead by beating away a drive from Danny Invincibile.

However, the home side took a deserved lead 10 minutes after the break through Crawford.

He brilliantly to held off the attentions of Hessey before swivelling and hooking the ball into the roof of the net.

Dillon was the first to spark when let fly from some distance onto Stillie's cross bar and the Pars custodian had to react splendidly to palm away McSwegan's follow up.

Still, the visitors pressed and in the 68th minute, they drew level.

McSwegan's forward pass dropped into Greg Shield's path and with Andrius Skerla's attention fatally lapsing, he powerfully volleyed into Stillie's top corner.

The action was now incessant, flowing from end to end with breathless velocity. Dunfermline deserved the final word.

Instead the travelling troops from Ayrshire were left screaming joyously at the close. Fowler, ever more influential, lofted a precise pass Gary McSwegan's Muskegon's way and the ex-Hearts marksman gratefully grabbed a precious second strike, rifling regally beyond Stillie's reach. (right). Gary Mason had one late chance to save the Pars but he headed mournfully into Dubourdeau's hands.

Kilmarnock: Dubourdeau, Shields, McLaughlin, Dillion, Hessey, Fowler, Fulton, Dodds, (McDonald 77 mins), Invincible, (Murray 66 mins),  McSwegan, Boyd

Subs: Meldrum, Nish, Hay

Attendance: 4,495