Kilmarnock recorded back-to-back victories within the Scottish Premiership for simply the second time this season as they downed bottom-side Livingston to go away them 12 factors adrift on the foot of the desk.
Former Manchester United ahead Joe Hugill neatly put the hosts – who surprisingly beat league leaders Hearts right here at Rugby Park final week – in entrance by directing in Marley Watkins’ cracking cross after an exciting 25 minutes.
It was nothing lower than Neil McCann’s aspect – and significantly the full of life Hugill – deserved.
They ought to have doubled their benefit moments later by way of Scotland call-up Findlay Curtis, however Livingston goalkeeper Jerome Prior pulled out a sensible save.
In a particular week for the on-loan Rangers teenager, he did get his purpose by rounding off a frantic counter-attack.
It was candy aid for the hosts who appeared to go away all their confidence within the altering room at half-time as they have been severely underneath strain till Curtis’ strike and solely saved by Livingston’s profligacy.
Brooklyn Kabongolo misguided a seemingly easy header, Cristian Montano went trying to find the far put up and substitute Lewis Smith left the put up shoogling simply minutes earlier than they conceded the sucker-punch second.
With heads properly and actually down, and gazing an instantaneous return to the Scottish Championship, Livi misplaced defender Kabongolo to a late purple card for hauling again Curtis who was tearing down on purpose.
Referee Ryan Lee initially issued a yellow card, however upgraded it to a purple after he was known as to the monitor by the video assistant referee (VAR).
Killie stay in eleventh, stage on factors with St Mirren, following the Buddies’ comeback win at Falkirk.
