Killie had only taken 1 point out of a possible 24 coming into today's last home match of the year, and got a much-needed win over a poor Dundee side at Rugby Park.

Killie were first to threaten, with Boyd showing nimble feet to get his low shot away on the turn but Derek Soutar pushed the ball away and Brent Sancho was on hand to clear.

The visitors hit back when Steven Robb produced a superb free-kick which looked to be heading for the top corner before stand-in keeper Graeme Smith tipped it impressively round the post.

The Ayrshire side threatened again 10 minutes later. Invincibile and Gordon Greer combined smoothly down the right and, from the latter's cross Colin Nish, scuffed a shot wide from a promising position.

From an almost identical move six minutes later, the home side did take the lead. This time Danny Invincibile teamed up with Gary MacDonald before creeping into the box unmarked to finish with a confident volley.

Dundee almost drew level in the 25th minute when, from a short free-kick, Jonay Hernandez cut inside and unleashed a powerful shot which Smith again did well to parry.

From Garry Hay's 38th minute left-wing free-kick Killie doubled their lead when Simon Ford rose unmarked to power home his first goal for the club. (right).

However, within 60 seconds Dundee pulled a goal back, with Lovell picking out striker partner Sutton from the right and the Englishman found the net with a glancing header.

MacDonald should have scored early in the second half when the ball dropped to him six yards out but he could only stab weakly at goal and Soutar, scrambling across his line, kept the ball out.

Two minutes later Gary Hay's low drive from the edge of the box was turned just over by Boyd.

Killie continued to be profligate, Boyd again fluffing his lines when slid through by Colin Nish.

Just when Dundee were beginning to mount something of a late surge, Boyd finally wrapped up the points for his side.

The ball was cleared from inside the Killie half, Nish controlled it well, rolled it into the path of Kris Boyd and the young striker ended his goal famine with a sweet right-footed strike into bottom right-hand corner.(right)

Kilmarnock: Smith, Ford, Greer , Naismith (Johnston 74 mins) Dindeleux, Hay, Invincibile, McDonald,  Leven,  Nish, Boyd

Subs: Samson, Johnston, Dargo, Wales, Locke, Murray, Wolski

Attendance: 5,468