The visiting team which started strongest and Livi right-back Jason
Thomson came close with a first-time shot that curled just past the
stranded Graeme Smith's far post.
Killie gradually found their feet and James Fowler had their first
strike at goal in the 14th minute, but his 25-yard drive was a foot
wide.
A minute later, Danny Invincibile headed harmlessly wide after a
Garry Hay free-kick found him unmarked 12 yards out.
The home fans claimed a penalty when James McPake brushed Wales aside
as the striker tried to collect David Fernandez's back-heel, but the
defender's challenge looked fair.
Invincibile then headed into the side-netting from close range after
a brilliant run and cross from Hay.
Killie's dominance was growing and Wales was inches away from the top
corner with a 25-yard free-kick before Steven Naismith's 16-yard volley
was well held by Craig Wight.
Kilmarnock were finding acres of space between Livi's defence and
midfield, but passed up several opportunities to shoot, although Gordon
Greer came close with a 20-yard drive.
Livi almost snatched the lead 90 seconds before the break when Steven
Tweed beat Smith to Lee Makel's long free-kick, but the defender's
header landed on the roof of the net.
The second half started untidily and Fernandez blazed over from 20
yards moments before almost getting in behind Wight after a long ball,
only for the Livi defence to scramble back.
Gary Wales put Killie ahead in the 57th minute when he
worked a shooting chance on the edge of the box and struck a fierce
effort low into the corner.
Livi substitute Paul Shields joined Craig and the lively Graham
Dorrans up front as Livi moved to a 4-3-3 formation.
Shields soon laid the ball off for Thomson to strike a 25-yard effort
which Smith palmed over.
The change forced Killie on to the back-foot, and the visitors won a
penalty when Grant Murray pulled back David Mackay as he raced in from
the left, and Craig lashed the 72nd-minute spot-kick into the top
corner.
Killie were stung into action and Johnston saw a 20-yard shot palmed
on to the bar by Wight.
At the other end, Scott Mitchell shot just wide from 18 yards after a
good build-up.
The game was open and Dorrans and Hay forced saves at either end with
low strikes.
Both sides had chances for a late winner but Livi's Steven Weir
hammered a volley just over from a tight angle and fellow sub Colin Nish
could not find the power to beat Wight with his six-yard effort under
pressure.
Liv
i started
well in extra-time but Weir could not direct Shields' powerful drive on
target.
Killie regained the territorial advantage for the rest of the first
period but the chances dried up as both sides tired.
The game looked to be heading for penalties but Killie won a
free-kick 20 yards out after Shields jumped into Johnston.
Fraser Wright (right) blasted a low left-footed strike
through the wall in the 115th minute and Killie played out the remainder
of the game in the Livi half.
Sandy Ferguson's Match Pics
HERE
115 mins
