KRIS BOYD gave a magnificent display of his predatory prowess by slamming a 22-minute hat-trick to send Kilmarnock on course for the knockout phase of the Betfred Cup.
The 34-year-old skipper came off the bench to blast three goals to see off Dumbarton who had been ahead twice. Now wins over Queen’s Park and Spartans will take them through.
Loan signing Mikael Ndjoli grabbed his first Killie goal but the down side was a nasty head clash that left Stuart Findlay and Greg Taylor with painful facial injuries.
Rugby Park manager Steve Clarke said: “I expected Kris to score when he went on to the pitch, but I didn’t expect three.
“If you put quality deliveries into the box then Kris will always be a goal threat. I thought he would help us when he went on and that is the way it transpired.
“The boys [Findlay and Taylor] are both very sore. The next time they maybe give each other a shout. It was quite a sickening thud but thankfully they are both okay.
“Stuart’s eye swelled up and closed and there was no way he could carry on. Greg wanted to stay on the pitch but the doctor said his cut was too big. But, there is no concussion and if they are fit to play on Tuesday night they will play.”
Craig Barr had given Dumbarton the lead in 41 minutes when he headed home Michael Paton’s free kick in what was their first venture into the Killie box.
Ndjoli levelled three minutes into the second half when he clinically finished Lee Erwin’s cutback.
Dumbarton took the lead again in 65 minutes when Bobby Barr caught the Kilmarnock defence napping to finish off Rory Loy’s cross.
However, it then became the Kris Boyd show. He shot home from eight yards after being set up by Chris Burke. Then he headed home Burke’s corner in 76 minutes and in he final minute he got away from Andy Dowie to slam a right-foot shot past Grant Adam after being played in by Alan Power.
Dumbarton boss Stevie Aitken said: "We asked them a couple of questions but they then bring on the country's top goal-scorer.
“He's been doing it for years and when you give him opportunities to score, which we did, then you're in trouble. If we hadn't been so naive in terms of defending it might have been a different ending.”
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