Kilmarnock ended a run of five straight defeats with
victory over Dundee United at Rugby Park. A
disappointing first half ended with Killie taking the lead through Jamie
Hamill's penalty after Mehdi Taouil had been fouled in the box.
David Fernandez got Killie's second on 61 minutes, shooting high into
the net from James Fowler's cross.
United failed to seriously trouble the home goal as the visitors lost
for the first time in 10 matches.
Neither side made significant in-roads towards goal in the opening 25
minutes until the visitors almost capitalised on a goalkeeping error.
Alan Combe spilled Sean Dillon's cross but Scott Robertson's shot was
blocked and Craig Conway's effort sailed over the bar from the edge of the
box.
At the other
end, Conor Sammon's 25-yards effort failed to trouble Lukasz Zaluska.
Killie who opened the scoring in the final minute of the half.
Taouil's skilful run into the United penalty area was interrupted by
Morgaro Gomis' trip and Jamie Hamill
(right) converted the spot-kick.
Roy O'Donovan came close for the visitors early in the second half as
United pressed for an equaliser.
United top scorer Francisco Sandaza twisted and turned to hold off
defender Simon Ford but the striker's shot hit the side netting.
Killie extended their lead when Fowler beat Paul Dixon on the right and
crossed for David Fernandez to
score against his former club.
The home fans were then angered when Garry Hay was caught late by Craig
Conway's late challenge.
United manager Craig Levein sent Jon Daly and Danny Swanson on for
O'Donovan and Willo Flood in an effort to change the course of the match.
Frazer Wright almost got Kilmarnock's third, heading wide from a
Fernandez cross.
Daly went down in the Kilmarnock penalty area under the challenge of
Willie Gibson but referee Euan Norris waved play on.
Sandaza then claimed he was brought down by Combe but referee Norris
adjudged that the goalkeeper's sliding challenge had won the ball.
Gomis' had an effort from long-range effort which was saved by Combe
before Kilmarnock striker Allan Russell made his home debut as a late
replacement for Sammon.
Full-back Garry Hay said: "Skill-wise I've never played with anyone
better than Mehdi. He has all the tricks and flicks but he has also been
working on the end product and it's there now too. Honestly, you
couldn't get the ball off him in a phone box he's so strong for his
size. He'll definitely go on to bigger things. But to be fair I think we
showed what we can do when we have most of our players available. We
looked so solid today. The past couple of weeks we've just not turned up
against the Old Firm but that's not our league. We now have 10 games
before we play either of them again and that's where we need to pick up
points."
Sandy's Match Pic's are
HERE
