Match ends, Kilmarnock 1, St. Mirren 0.
KilmarnockKilmarnock1St MirrenSt Mirren0
Kilmarnock made it seven matches unbeaten, Lee Miller's late strike stunning Premiership bottom side St Mirren.
The visitors had looked poised to creep above Motherwell on goal difference with an arguably deserved point until the substitute's intervention.
It prolongs Gary Locke's impressive unbeaten record since taking over as interim Kilmarnock boss.
In truth though the game could have gone either way.
The goal that settled it - Miller's first for the club - was crisply taken by the well-travelled striker, as he converted Josh Magennis's square ball with three minutes remaining.
It was the culmination of some late pressure from the home side but St Mirren looked disconsolate as they trooped off at full-time, having had the better chances over the course of the 90 minutes.
Their best spell was the first 20 minutes or so during which Jim Goodwin had a shot tipped over the bar and Steven Thompson was twice denied an opening goal.
James Dayton, though, came closest against his former club, rattling the crossbar with a beautifully struck volley from Jeroen Tesselaar's cross.
Nathan Eccleston had chances at the other end as Alexei Eremenko began to pull the strings in midfield but a largely forgettable second half eventually burst into life with Miller's late strike and more misery for the travelling Buddies fans.
Locke's men are now within a point of seventh-place Dundee, who have a game in hand. Gary Teale's St Mirren remain a point behind Well.
Line-ups
Kilmarnock
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Samson
- 2Barbour
- 18Ashcroft
- 29Pascali
- 26O'Hara
- 10Johnston
- 19SlaterBooked at 90mins
- 20EremenkoSubstituted forCairneyat 60'minutes
- 16ObadeyiSubstituted forMillerat 74'minutes
- 14EcclestonSubstituted forKiltieat 85'minutes
- 28Magennis
Substitutes
- 9Miller
- 11Cairney
- 13Brennan
- 15Smith
- 30Kiltie
- 36Syme
- 37Splaine
St Mirren
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 12Ridgers
- 2Naismith
- 6Goodwin
- 52GenevBooked at 90mins
- 22TesselaarBooked at 68minsSubstituted forArquinat 89'minutes
- 31Mallan
- 7McGinn
- 17DaytonSubstituted forSadlierat 67'minutes
- 8Gow
- 3KellySubstituted forWyldeat 80'minutes
- 9Thompson
Substitutes
- 10Sadlier
- 11Wylde
- 14Reilly
- 15Arquin
- 28Kello
- 30Baird
- 32Mclear
- Referee:
- Steven McLean
- Attendance:
- 4,721
Match Stats
Home TeamKilmarnockAway TeamSt Mirren
- Possession
- Home51%
- Away49%
- Shots
- Home8
- Away5
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away2
- Corners
- Home5
- Away8
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Kilmarnock 1, St. Mirren 0.
Booking
Craig Slater (Kilmarnock) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Craig Slater (Kilmarnock).
Post update
Alan Gow (St. Mirren) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Viktor Genev.
Post update
Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Viktor Genev.
Post update
Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Mark Ridgers.
Booking
Viktor Genev (St. Mirren) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Hand ball by Viktor Genev (St. Mirren).
Substitution
Substitution, St. Mirren. Yoann Arquin replaces Jeroen Tesselaar.
Goal!
Goal! Kilmarnock 1, St. Mirren 0. Lee Miller (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Josh Magennis.
Substitution
Substitution, Kilmarnock. Greg Kiltie replaces Nathan Eccleston.
Post update
Nathan Eccleston (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Viktor Genev (St. Mirren).
Substitution
Substitution, St. Mirren. Gregg Wylde replaces Sean Kelly because of an injury.
Post update
Corner, St. Mirren. Conceded by Manuel Pascali.
Substitution
Substitution, Kilmarnock. Lee Miller replaces Tope Obadeyi.
Post update
Attempt missed. Sean Kelly (St. Mirren) right footed shot from very close range is just a bit too high.
Post update
Foul by Ross Barbour (Kilmarnock).
