Kilmarnock 2-0 Livingston

Second-half goals by Paul Di Giacomo and Gary McSwegan gave Killie a hard-earned victory over Livingston.

Killie were positive from the off and Stephen Murray brought out a fine save from Javier Sanchez Broto with a spectacular drive in the third minute.

Six minutes later, Kris Boyd attempted to catch Broto off his line but the Spaniard adjusted well to save.

Livi were ineffective in the opening stages and could only muster a weak header after 13 minutes by Eugene Dadi, which was never going to threaten Gordon Marshall.

It was fully 20 minutes before Marshall was tested - Davide Xausa found Francisco Quino on the edge of the box, but his neat volley lacked power.

Steve Fulton and Quino contest a high ball

At the other end, Boyd should have done better with his finish after 24 minutes, after a neat interchange with Paul Di Giacomo.

Quino had another opportunity but struck a half-chance straight at Marshall, as Livi finally began to inch their way into the game.

Marvin Andrews was unlucky not to score with two good headers in succession, Marshall coming to Killie's rescue again.

Cherif Toure-Maman went agonisingly close after speeding past three Kilmarnock defenders only for Marshall to parry his shot and Dadi could only spoon wide from two yards.

Livingston were first to threaten in the second half with an 18-yard strike by Juanjo Camacho but, once again, Marshall dealt with the danger.

Steven Murray feels the force of Philippe Brinquin

The game livened up as the half wore on and Xausa should have done better with a long-range shot that went a fraction wide of the post on the hour mark.

Kilmarnock finally made the breakthrough in the 64th minute.

Shaun Dillon's cross clipped the crossbar and, after the ball was turned back by Peter Canero, Di Giacomo rifled a 12-yard shot in off the post.

With the match in stoppage time, Kilmarnock scored the killer second.

Jamie Fowler dispossessed Gus Bahoken on the right and squared the ball across the face of the goal for substitute McSwegan to tap home a tidy finish.

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Kilmarnock: Marshall, Fowler, Shields, Dindeleux, Dillon, Canero, Mahood, Fulton, Murray (Hay 88), Boyd (Locke 80), Di Giacomo (McSwegan 75).

Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Quitongo.

Livingston: Broto, Brinquin, Andrews, Bahoken, Bollan, Toure-Maman, Makel, Quino (Wilson 65), Camacho (O'Brien 79), Xausa, Dadi (Bingham 72).

Subs Not Used: McEwan, McNamee.

Booked: Bahoken, Quino, Bingham.

Att: 5,270

Ref: C Thomson