Kilmarnock 2
Dundee Utd 0
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Skipper Maurice Malpas missed the game through suspension had to agonise from the touch-lines as his team-mates looked to have earned a point until another stroke of ill-fortune sabotaged those plans as Killie's late strike plunged further relegation gloom over Tannadice.

For most of the game United had been in control and after Billy McKinlay was unlucky to see his 13th minute strike come back off the inside of the post, he was instrumental in giving his side the lead five minutes later. There was a dress rehearsal for the goal when Gordan Petric sent in a header from Billy McKinlay's corner on the left, only for Lekovic to tip the ball over the bar. However, from the ensuing corner, this time on the right the same combination found the net with the Yugoslav powering a header into the net.

However, laxity in the Tannadice defence which has prevailed all too often this season struck when Whitworth was allowed to come forward unchallenged before burying a 25 yarder past an unsighted Kelham O'Hanlon. United continued to set the pace, but lack of composure in front of goal meant Killie remained on level terms. One of the best chances United had was immediately after Brian Welsh came on for the hard working Scott Crabbe nine minutes from the end as the blonde headed defender created an opening for captain for the day, Jim Mclnally, but Lekovic saved his effort at his near post.

When it looked as though we would have to settle for a point, disaster struck two minutes from time. David Hannah and Mark Perry went up for the same ball and collided, allowing Findlay a clear path on the left and Henry met his cross at the far post to steer in the winner and make it a calamitous finish for the Tangerines!

Kirkwood commented, "We lacked composure in the final third of the park to cause them problems"