Kilmarnock captain Kyle Vassell scored the only goal of the game to seal three points for the Euro-chasers, as Ross County’s relegation woes continue.
County remain second bottom, now falling four points behind St Johnstone after the Perth side's surprise 2-1 win at Easter Road.
As the wind battered Rugby Park, both sides battled it out in an end-to-end first half but with few clear-cut chances. An early opportunity fell to Kilmarnock winger Matty Kennedy, who was denied by the woodwork, and Liam Donnelly had his thundering volley from distance punched away by County keeper George Wickens. Loick Ayina’s diving header for the away side was safely dealt with by Will Dennis, with little else to really trouble the Killie keeper in the first half plagued with stoppages.
Good chances came for both sides shortly after the break. Kilmarnock winger Danny Armstrong had his great effort narrowly headed over the bar by Ayina from ten yards out, after some lovely build-up play with Liam Polwarth down the right-hand side. County’s Simon Murray found himself inside Killie’s box with a clear view of goal, but his shot was pushed past the post by the keeper.
It was Killie captain Kyle Vassell who finally broke the deadlock for the home side around the hour mark, firing his shot through Wickens to score his third goal in as many games and his tenth goal of the season. The County keeper could and probably should have done better, but Killie won’t be complaining.
A scuffle broke out between Killie’s Liam Polwarth and County’s Yan Dhanda in the middle of the park, which then saw both sets of players involved in a lot of pushing and shoving. Five yellow cards were dished out by referee Euan Anderson.
It was an edgy end to the game but there were no further goals and it was the home side who came away victorious thanks to their captain.
Wingers key for Killie again
County interim boss Don Cowie said he was hoping for a “day off” from his former teammate Daniel Armstrong, but Killie’s pacey wingers were heavily involved again this afternoon. Along with Matty Kennedy, it was another impressive performance from Armstrong who received a raucous round of applause when he came off just before full-time. Both players were lively down the flanks and caused County’s defenders problems all game, putting some excellent crosses into the box from either side.
Killie’s Home Form
Today’s win marks the first time Kilmarnock have won 10 matches at Rugby Park in a single Scottish Premiership campaign. The momentum continues for the East Ayrshire side as they have managed to defeat Ross County for the first time this season, having drawn 0-0 in Dingwall and lost at Rugby Park back in September thanks to a goal from Simon Murray. The hard-fought win adds further steam to a great season for Derek McInnes whose side remain fourth in the table.
Ross County’s woes continue
They put up a fight today, but Ross County make the journey back to Dingwall off the back of another defeat on the road. It’s now their 15th game without a win away from home this season and their sixth defeat in a row. It was another three points they really couldn’t afford to drop today as they scramble to avoid falling into the play-off spot. The visitors had very few clear-cut chances and never really looked like scoring in the second half. Ross County host league-leaders Rangers next and you struggle to see how they will get much joy from that game on current showings.
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