Kilmarnock's former Sunderland and Rangers winger Allan Johnston broke the deadlock at Almondvale in the 13th minute.

Steven Naismith's cross from the right was flicked on by Kris Boyd and former Hearts player Johnston showed great composure to angle the ball past Roddy McKenzie from an acute angle.

But Killie took their foot off the gas following their opener and paid the penalty when Horvath restored parity in the 36th minute after the visitors failed to clear their lines.

Burton O'Brien's innocuous cross from the right was headed back across goal by Craig Easton and the Hungarian pounced to take advantage of the indecisiveness of Simon Ford, David Lilley and goalkeeper Alan Combe.

It was a goal the hosts barely deserved as they had created virtually nothing in front of goal prior to equalising.

Six minutes into the second period, Livi replaced Jason Dair and James McPake with Snodgrass and Colin McMenamin.

But, just moments prior to their introduction, Killie should have restored their advantage.

Steven Naismith raced clear of Stanic after being put through by Leven on the counter-attack, but he dragged his shot wide from 10 yards with just Roddy McKenzie to beat.

Youngster Snodgrass offered his side a different option in offensive areas with his pace.

And he showed great skill to get to the goal-line before crossing for McNamee to score.

Snodgrass' cross was misjudged by Horvath in the box, but Scotland international was on hand to give the home side the lead when the ball fell kindly for him eight yards out.

The impressive Livi youngster wrapped up the scoring in the closing stages of the game to the delight of the home crowd.

He ran at the Kilmarnock defence before unleashing an unstoppable left-footed shot from 20 yards past Combe.

Colin McMenamin was gifted a chance to grab a fourth goal for the home side after latching onto a poor pass-back, but was denied by a good block from Combe and Snodgrass could not put the rebound away.

The win allowed Richard Gough's side to close the gap on fellow strugglers Dundee United to just three points at the bottom of the SPL.

Killie certainly missed the hard working (little serviced) Kris Boyd, who was replaced at the half by Colin Nish, who looked out of sorts himself!

Kilmarnock: Combe, Fowler, Hay, Ford, Lilley, Locke (Murray 78 mins), McDonald, Johnston, Leven (Invincibile 63 mins), Boyd (Nish 45 mins), Naismith.

Subs: Smith, Dindeleux, Fontaine, Dodds

Attendance: 2,536