Gretna Vs Killie, Feb 27th 2008, SPL.

Thanks mainly to an abject first-half performance, Killie find themselves in a real relegation battle, in which they conceded three goals, Jim Jefferies' side are a dejected lot, with only one win since Boxing Day. "You're not fit to wear the shirt," sang their fans after Mickael Buscher had scored Gretna's fourth just before the hour mark. "We want five," taunted the Gretna fans.

Kilmarnock, now just nine points clear of Gretna, have reason to look over their shoulder at a team whose efforts last night mocked those who had come to mark the end of their SPL sojourn. Gretna have a game in hand, against St Mirren next week, and must face Kilmarnock once more. The Dumfriesshire club might yet live the dream again. "It's not too late," said caretaker manager Mick Wadsworth. "The split can make a big difference. We still need to play St Mirren three more times." Jefferies was alarmed by his side's first-half showing. "You can't give a team a three-goal start at any level," he said.
Kilmarnock opened purposefully, as Mehdi Taouil caused Gretna early problems with his mazy trademark runs down the left wing.

The noisy travelling supporters were willing their team on and the Kilmarnock players seemed to be spurred on, taking the game to Gretna who struggled to hold possession inside the visitors' half.

Neat play on the left allowed Craig Bryson space, but despite his wicked outswinging cross foxing all the Gretna defenders and goalkeeper Greg Fleming, Danny Invincibile was unable to connect. Killie's keep the ball on the deck passing play game, was soon to be found out, as the Fir Park surface, just would not allow any flowing football to be played. A more direct "up the park" approach, played to Gretna's strength as they raced into a 3-0 lead by half-time.

Nicky Deverdics got the ball rolling with a thumping finish into the corner of Chad Harpur's goal after 27 minutes. A Rhys Meynell header then made it two 12 minutes later before Craig Barr provoked fury among the away fans with Gretna's third just two minutes before half-time.

Their anger stemmed not simply from the fact the game already looked beyond them, but also because referee John Underhill seemed to indicate Barr's header had not crossed the line. The defender had got his head to a Chris Innes free-kick, but Frazer Wright managed to hook the ball away (right) from the gaping goal, with flapping goalkeeper Harpur beaten in the air.(Above) Wright did appear to have extended his leg far back into the net, but Underhill was late in signalling the goal.

Kilmarnock were not only booed off the park by their fans, they were booed onto it again. Assistant manager Billy Brown chased the team out earlier than normal, and kept them on their toes with a variety of gestures and barbed comments. Gretna joined their opponents out on the pitch a full five minutes later, with the intention to hold onto their lead. Instead they required only 14 minutes to add to it, with Buscher given way to much time by a static defence, to control a free-kick in the box and send the ball high into the net.

But Kilmarnock did provide their fans with some cheer. Simon Ford (Right) headed home after 72 minutes and Willie Gibson rifled in a shot from the edge of the box with seven minutes remaining.

Kilmarnock: Harpur, Hamill (Fernandez 70), Ford, Frazer Wright, Hay, Invincibile, Fowler, Corrigan (Gibson 54), Bryson, Taouil, Johnston (Dalglish 46). Subs not used: Rascle, Di Giacomo, O'Leary, Clancy. Booked Invincibile.

Attendance: 1,545

Sandy's Match Pic's are HERE