Killie moved up to fourth place in the SPL with a victory over struggling Falkirk at Rugby Park.

Killie got a perfect start when Danny Invincible drilled home after just two minutes, but Falkirk fought back with Danny McBreen's 18th minute leveller.

After an entertaining first half, the quality of football diminished in the second, although Kilmarnock dominated.

Steven Naismith fired in a deserved 74th minute winner, after poor Bairns defending to give Killie the points.

Kilmarnock have now crept above Hibernian - and the win was the ideal tonic after their 4-0 drubbing agauinst Rangers at Ibrox last week.

Killie got themselves off to the perfect start, stunning the visitors after just two minutes.

Garry Hay floated in a corner, and with Falkirk not clearing the danger, Australian Danny Invincible connected with a left foot, half-volley from 13 yards which gave Bairns keeper Allan Ferguson no chance.

Falkirk regained their composure after the early blow, and fought back immediately, although Steven Thomson should have done better with a miss from close range after being set up by Russell Latapy's cross.

However, the visitors persistence paid off with an equaliser in the 18th minute.

McBreen beat the Killie offside trap and, although Graeme Smith - in for the suspended Alan Combe - parried his initial shot, the striker calmly netted the rebound for his sixth goal of the season.

There was little to separate the teams, but both defences were resolute. Nonetheless, despite Killie enjoying more of the play, they couldn't find the finishing touch.

Alan Johnston was busy in the Kilmarnock attack, but he could only see a sliced shot go off target towards the interval.

Killie finished the half frustrated that they couldn't make capital of their possession.

Unfortunately, there was a deterioation in the second half for the fans.

While there was quality football on show in the first half, a lack of fluency from both teams was obvious with frequent sloppy play after the break.

Falkirk did have a good claim for a penalty when Killie defender Simon Ford blocked a McBreen shot with his arm, before Smith made a sharp save from the energetic Bairns striker.

Naismith struck an effort just past the post in a rare vibrant move from Killie, as Jim Jefferies team continued to struggle up front.

Stevie Murray replaced Colin Nish in an attempt to change things for Killie, and there was an instant response with a second goal in the 74th minute.

With Falkirk slacking in defence, the ball broke loose for Stephen Naismith, and the striker made no mistake by slotting home his ninth goal of the season.

Naismith was a constant thorn in the side of Falkirk in the latter stages, and John Hughes' side were unable to respond, leaving Ayrshire empty-handed.

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