Kevin Kyle was the scourge of the St Mirren defence with a double
Kevin Kyle eased Kilmarnock's relegation fears with a double to floor fellow strugglers St Mirren in the Scottish Premier League.
Kyle headed the hosts in front after 22 minutes when he rose to meet Mehdi Taouil's cross.
The striker doubled Kilmarnock's lead soon after the break after Willie Gibson's fine work.
Dennis Wyness reduced the deficit with a goal late on, but Killie held on for what could prove a crucial win.
Kilmarnock started the game a point ahead of the visitors in 10th spot and knew maximum points would go a long way to allaying fears of the drop.
But it was St Mirren who were the brighter side in the opening 20 minutes and Andy Dorman curled a free-kick narrowly wide.
Hugh Murray's cross from the right just evaded Wyness as Saints pressed for the opener, but it was Kilmarnock who took the lead against the run of play in the 22nd minute.
Taouil fired in an inviting cross from the left wing and Kyle arrived to bullet home.
St Mirren had a half-chance when Dorman combined well with David Barron, but the defender's cross was easily dealt with by Alan Combe.
Kilmarnock were forced to withdraw central defender Simon Ford just before the half-hour and he was replaced by Frazer Wright.
Kilmarnock all but sealed the points with a goal early in the second half and it was Kyle who made Saints pay for poor defending once again.
Gibson set up the goal by holding off John Potter to work his way into the box and he found Kyle who doubled Kilmarnock's lead with ease.
St Mirren cut a dispirited side after conceding that second goal. Wyness pulled a goal back for St Mirren in the final minute with a close-range effort following Dorman's blocked shot.
And the Paisley side had the ball in the net from an injury-time corner but the whistle had blown for a foul before the ball crossed the line.
Victory saw Kilmarnock move up to eighth spot in the league, while St Mirren drop to the foot of the table, a point behind Falkirk.
Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies:
"Before the game I told the players it was going to be a battle tonight. St Mirren have dug out a few results this season.
"I knew it would be a lot tougher than against Falkirk - no disrespect to them. So, I was glad to see the second goal go in.
"Then they just threw caution to the wind and piled a lot of balls into the box. They kept plugging away and (for the disallowed goal) the referee had blown his whistle before the ball had crossed the line.
"My heart was in my mouth because they've got nothing to lose at that point and have even sent the goalkeeper up.
"It's not all about the football at this stage; it's great to play well but it's all about getting the result.
"Kevin Kyle has scored the last six goals for us - that's how valuable he is."
St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson:
"I thought the disallowed goal was a free-kick. The referee called it right and I thought he had a very good game.
"It's difficult to take because I didn't think there was a lot in the game. I thought we played pretty well and dictated the tempo for good periods in the game as well.
"But two really poor mistakes have cost us and that's what it comes down to at this level of football.
"I thought Kilmarnock scored with really their first effort on goal. It's hard to take, but when you're dealing with the quality in this league - whether it's delivery or finishing - you get punished."
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