EK keep Boyd at bay in defeat
East Kilbride ................. 0 Kilmarnock ................... 1
East Kilbride can hold their heads high after pushing Premiership side Kilmarnock all the way in midweek – and keeping Kris Boyd at bay.
The Rugby Park side snatched a late winner thanks to a stunning free-kick from Daniel Higgins in the 89th minute.
It was harsh on Kilby, who defended valiantly against a Killie side fielding much of their first team in the opening 45 minutes before unleashing their development squad in the second half.
The Kilby players must have taken a sharp intake of breath when they saw the team sheet with Boyd, Chris Burke, Stephen O’Donnell, Higgins and Mikael Ndjoli, Killie’s new loan signing from English Premier League side Bournemouth, all in the starting 11.
But EK rose to the occasion and centre halves Craig Reid and Craig Howie, in particular, performed superbly as they kept Boyd at bay.
East Kilbride had their chances with Jamie Longworth’s effort tipped onto the post, while Liam Craig and Paul Woods caused Killie problems as well.
In the second half, with Boyd off the pitch, Killie’s young stars impressed and found the breakthrough late on when Higgins curled a free-kick past McGinley from 20-yards.
EK star Howie said: “There was quite a few big name players in the team, but Boyd has played at the highest level and done everything in the Scottish game, so to say you’ve played well against him and stopped him scoring, I’m really pleased with that.”