WHAT seemed a walk in the park almost deteriorated into an alarming collapse as Kilmarnock survived a late rally from County to solidify their position in the top six.

The hosts were coasting thanks to goals from Lee Erwin, Kris Boyd and Eamonn Brophy, but allowed County to net twice in the final four minutes through Billy McKay and Alex Schalk.

Manager Steve Clarke opted to focus on the good things his side did and also revealed that potential match-winner Jordan Jones could return for Tuesday’s William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final replay against Aberdeen.

Clarke said: I’d rather concentrate on the first 86 minutes because I thought we were excellent. We lost concentration in the last few minutes and if that happens at any level then you tend to get punished.

“Results on Friday and today have gone for us and it’s beginning to look as though we might sneak into the top six but we’re keeping our feet on the ground. There are still points to play for before the split.

“But it was good for all three of our strikers to score. Kris will always find the net if you can get the ball to him and young Eamonn did well to get his goal after coming off the bench.

“Greg Taylor has a dead leg but should be okay in the next 48 hours. Jordan Jones has an outside chance of being fit for Tuesday – he’ll be in for treatment and the physio will be working overtime.”

It was Erwin who gave Killie the lead on 16 minutes and he really couldn’t miss when Stephen O’Donnell played him in with a low cross.

Boyd made it 2-0 in the first minute of the second half when he shot home from close range after Aaron Simpson had crossed from the left.

Then Brophy celebrated his 22nd birthday in style with the third goal on 74 minutes, beating Aaron McCarey at his near post from eight yards.

However, Billy McKay capitalised on Aaron Tshibola’s sloppy pass back to lob Jamie MacDonald in 86 minutes.

Then Schalk flicked home Michael Gardyne’s cross in the 90th minute – but it was too little too late from County who are now four points adrift.

Co-boss Stuart Kettlewell said: “We are obviously bitterly disappointed.

“We wanted to get on the front foot and start with a win but the bottom line was the game got away from us.

“There was a period in the middle of the game where we weren’t good enough. We didn’t deal with what Kilmarnock threw at us.

“We obviously had the late really and massive credit to the two guys that came on and managed to get their goals. But we felt it was too little too late."