killiefc.com .... THE Killie Fans Site !!!!

François Dubourdeau took the number 1 jersey, fresh from signing on at Rugby Park until the end of the year, whilst Jim Jefferies again took the chance to watch trialist Rhian Dodds in midfield. Elsewhere Chris Innes got in some match practice after sitting out Saturday's match through suspension.

In a first half of little note, neither goalkeeper was given great cause for concern. The Jags threatened early through Andy Ross and Ricky Waddell, whilst Killie's sole attempt in the first half hour was a snap volley from Mark Canning that sailed over the bar. A few more chances presented themselves for either side as the half drew to a close. Of these, Gerry Britton came closest for the Jags with a fine turn and shot in the box, after being set up by Waddell. However, a shot wide of the post from Gary McDonald was about as good as it got for Killie.

Thankfully, the second half saw a quickening in pace of the game and some better football from both sides. Thistle switched to a front three, a move that was ultimately to win them the match. It was Killie that came closest to opening the scoring, though, with a fine run and flashing shot from Stephen Murray. Just as the Ayrshire men seemed to be passing their way into the game, though, the Maryhill mob took the lead on 50 minutes with an exquisite goal from Jamie Mitchell. Taking the ball on the edge of the area, with back to goal, he turned and placed an inch-perfect lob over the stranded Dubourdeau.

Only four minutes later Thistle doubled their lead with a powerful header from Ross, after some concerted pressure on the Killie defence. In between goals, Shaun Dillon perhaps should have found himself first in the showers with an atrocious tackle on Willie Howie that saw him only yellow carded.

After this mad ten minutes Killie regained their composure and took the initiative. Murray was tirelessly probing the Jags defence and set up chances for Colin Nish, who shot weakly, and himself on a couple of occasions but to no avail. On 64 minutes Canning almost halved the deficit with a raking 25-yarder that skelped the bar, and shortly afterwards Gary McDonald was well-tackled as he poised to shoot after running fully 40 yards through the Thistle team.

Despite their pressure, Killie looked vulnerable on the break, and so it proved on 88 minutes as a Britton header that rebounded from the post was tapped in by substitute Martin McBride to make it 3 nil. Killie did grab a consolation goal after one final flourish and cross from Murray left Nish with the simplest of tasks to head home.

Overall this was a disappointing performance from a Killie side with a great deal of first team experience. Of the players one would expect to be in the frame for Saturday, Innes and McLaughlin looked solid if unspectacular, and McDonald looked strong and purposeful. However Nish did himself no favours in staking a claim for a starting berth at Fir Park, despite his late goal. Too often he lacked the strength and wherewithal to lead the line effectively. And I wouldn't put much money on Dodds getting a deal at Killie on the strength of this showing.

Not for the first time, Murray was Killie's best performer. Consistently he made intelligent runs with the ball, spread the play well across the park, and put in some excellent by-line crosses. The injury to Danny Invincibile may just be the opportunity the wee man needs to get his chance again in the first team. We'll see.

Partick Thistle: Arthur, Howie, Kaczan, Forrest, Ross, Waddell, Panther (Boyle 82), Ross (Cassidy 70), Mitchell, Gemmell (McBride 83), Britton.
Subs (not used): Pinkowski (GK), Wilson.

Kilmarnock: Dubourdeau, Gilroy (Naismith 75), Dillon , McLaughlin, Innes, McGuiness (Masterton 66), McDonald, Canning, Nish, Dodds, Murray.
Subs (not used): Samson (GK), Boyle, McGregor.

Kilmarnock MOTM: Stephen Murray