A first half goal by Robert Campbell gave Kilmarnock the SFA Youth Cup with victory over Rangers.

It was the Ayrshire side's first appearance in the final and over a gruelling 90 minutes they more than held their own against a strong Rangers side who had half of their players with first team experience.

Campbell's winning goal came in the 33rd minute with a delicious little chip over Gers 'keeper Lee Robinson after Steven Naismith had set him up with a fine through ball.

Although the Ibrox side battled back and finished the game on top they never really looked like getting back on level terms.

It was Rangers who had the best of the early play with Robert Davidson going close with a couple of efforts, his first after five minutes from the edge of the box shaving the post and the next moments later also going wide.

As the first half wore on Kilmarnock, inspired by the excellent play of striker John Paul Boyle, played their way into the game.

There was little between the teams and few real scoring opportunities but in the 33rd minute the Ayrshire side took the lead with a well worked goal.

Striker Naismith sent Campbell through with a pass which split the Rangers defence and the Killie youngster confidently chipped Gers 'keeper Robinson from 16 yards.

The Govan side battled back, with Graeme Watson's 25 yard shot bringing out a great save from Killie 'keeper Cameron Bell.

After the break, the Rugby Park side were first to threaten and in the 50th minute Boyle tried a clever shot from the edge of the box which Robinson did well to save for a corner.

Rangers were struggling to create much in the way of clear opportunities and in the 64th minute midfielder Charlie Adam had a shot from 25 yards which Bell easily collected.

The Ibrox side finished the game stronger and in the 80th minute substitute John Johnston should have equalised when he found himself with the ball at his feet 10 yards from goal but he blasted his shot wildly over the bar.
 

Kilmarnock: Bell, Sangster, Hamill, Cochrane, MacGregor, Johnstone, Masterton (Butcher), Naismith, Sloan (Coyne), Boyle, Campbell

Crowd: 3,200

Kilmarnock youth coach Alan Robertson was delighted with his first SFA Youth Cup triumph after his charges secured a 1-0 win over their Rangers counterparts.

Robertson praised his players for hanging on to the slender lead even though tiredness meant they were almost dead on their feet at the final whistle.

He said: “That’s the first time we’ve been beyond the quarter-finals and we are obviously delighted that we win it.

“I’ve been involved with the youth team for 10 years so it means a lot to me.

“We’ve had a hard season working with a small pool but the lads were great and it was a goal worthy of winning any final.

“I think if Rangers had equalised we would have had a problem in extra time. We had a number of players who were struggling in terms of fitness.

“Fortunately we held on and I’m delighted.”