Marley Watkins notched a controversial winner as Kilmarnock claimed a treasured 1-0 victory over Dundee United.
A colorless encounter that introduced little in the way in which of alternatives sparked into life within the 72nd minute.
United goalkeeper Jack Walton misjudged the flight of the ball, permitting Watkins to nod the ball dwelling. The guests furiously appealed for a foul, however the aim could be allowed to face following a VAR test.
The Rugby Park aspect have lifted themselves to ninth within the William Hill Premiership desk – seven factors forward of St Johnstone, who occupy backside spot.
United handed a debut to Allan Campbell, who signed from Charlton earlier within the week.
The previous Motherwell midfielder nearly made a direct influence when he prodded simply vast of the goal after the Killie defence struggled to cope with Will Ferry’s lengthy throw.
Neither keeper had been examined within the early exchanges. Nevertheless, that will change within the twelfth minute when Joe Wright introduced out an incredible save from Walton following a pin-point supply from Watkins.
An outstanding driving run by Danny Armstrong ended with a shot which sailed properly over earlier than Derek McInnes was pressured right into a first-half substitution.
Brad Lyons got here off the worst following an aerial problem with Campbell, resulting in the Killie skipper being changed by Liam Polworth.
Probabilities had been at a premium with neither aspect capable of finding any form of fluency within the closing phases of the primary half.
Kilmarnock’s Marley Watkins celebrates the winner
Fraser Murray ought to have achieved higher when he turned Armstrong’s cross over the bar, whereas on the different finish an acrobatic effort by Ruari Paton landed simply vast of the goal.
There was an enormous let-off for the hosts within the opening minutes of the second half when Luca Stephenson gained possession in a harmful space, however was let down by a slack move at a vital second.
The woodwork got here to Killie’s rescue simply earlier than the hour mark. Ferry’s throw-in discovered Sam Dalby, who was unfortunate to see his header strike the crossbar with Kieran O’Hara crushed.
Killie opened the scoring with 18 minutes remaining in what was a second to overlook for Walton.
David Watson’s cross skipped up off Declan Gallagher and Watkins rose above the United keeper to go the ball dwelling.
The United gamers had been adamant Walton had been fouled and surrounded referee David Dickinson, although the aim was allowed to face.
Jim Goodwin threw warning to the wind in quest of a leveller, introducing Kristijan Trapanovski and Glenn Middleton from the bench.
The transfer practically paid off after Middleton discovered himself bearing down on aim, however he tried to sq. the ball for Dalby when a shot on aim appeared to be the higher choice.
There was a nervous end for the house supporters as their aspect survived a VAR test for a doable handball within the closing seconds earlier than the full-time sparked celebrations inside Rugby Park.
What the managers mentioned…
Dundee Utd supervisor Jim Goodwin…
“The real frustration is the manner of the goal we concede.
“I’ve watched it now from quite a few totally different angles and I can not perceive how the blokes within the VAR studio do not rule that one out or at the very least ask the referee to return view the monitor.
“Jack Walton is trying to get off the ground and it’s impossible because the Kilmarnock forward’s arm is across his face before he heads it into the goal.
“It wasn’t the scoreline we had been hoping for, if the sport had completed 0-0 then I do not assume there would have been many complaints from myself or Derek.”
Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes:
“The aim is scabby and it is untidy from their perspective. There’s nothing controversial about it, the keeper needs to be stronger.
“We’ve played so much better and not got anything from the game.
“I believe Dundee United had been higher than us within the first half, they regarded like a workforce that had taken confidence from the place they’re within the league.
“There are different ways of winning games. At this stage of the season and in the context of where we are, we showed so many aspects to get the job done.
“The end result oversees every part, it is a magnificent end result and one which we had been badly needing.”
