Kilmarnock’s late hero was Marley Watkins, who scored two minutes from time to give the home team a 1-0 victory over Livingston at Rugby Park.
The match was dull, but the Welsh striker broke the deadlock by tapping the ball home after pounced on a Kevin van Veen knockdown in a crowded six-yard box.
The hosts began the match sloppy in possession, but Livi were unable to make that count with a tame Steven Bradley effort after cutting in from the right flank the best they could muster in the opening exchanges. Michael Nottingham will feel he should have done better after getting on the end of Bradley’s free-kick. Derek McInnes made two changes to the side that drew at Motherwell on Saturday. Greg Stewart received his first start since rejoining the club, and Liam Donnell received just his eighth start of the year.
On the other side, Tom Davies attempted to emulate his teammate Lewis Mayo’s goal at Fir Park, but the Livi defence blocked his rasping shot from 20 yards.
Six minutes before halftime, the Lions had the ball in the net thanks to a quick flick-on from Daniel MacKay, who calmly round the keeper and slotted home. However, the on-loan Hibs player was denied by an offside flag, and Tete Yengi came close with the last action of the half, poking the ball just wide.
McInnes made a double substitution and a formation change at the half as a result of an unsatisfactory performance, and it almost immediately paid off when Shamal George had to make a delicate fingertip save to deny Matty Kennedy.
Early in the second half, they had their first stretch of control of the game, and the only thing that kept it scoreless was a fantastic stop from Shamal George to keep a Liam Donnelly header at close range.
After being set up by Andrew Shinnie, Mo Sangare blasted over from 10 yards, giving Livi a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock on 75 minutes. Killie immediately went down the other end, but were unable to take advantage of a decent chance themselves as Watkins could only direct his header straight at George.
But Killie did not back down at the last minute, as a crucial three points bolstered their challenge for fourth place.
Kilmarnock: Watson (Polworth 45), Donnelly, Stewart (McKenzie 71), Watkins, Mayo, Wright, Findlay, and Davies (Kennedy 45); Vassell (Van Veen 71), Armstrong (Murray 71). O’Hara, Balagizi, Cameron, and Mackay-Steven were not substituted in.
Livingston: Pittman, Holt, Carson, MacKay (Sangare 64), Yengi (Anderson 81), Bradley (Shinnie 57), Nottingham, Donnellan, Obileye, and Brandon. McGovern, St. Kelly, Se. Kelly, Ledingham, Culbert, and Lawal were not substituted.
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