Boyd hits ton strike then backs Clark

THE predatory power of Kris Boyd and Soulemayne Coulibaly produced an unlikely but highly welcome victory for Kilmarnock. However, Hamilton only have themselves to blame for extending their miserable home record.

Trailing 1-0 to Louis Longridge’s goal and seemingly with no chance of rescuing the situation, Killie exploded into life in the last 20 minutes. It was a landmark moment for Boyd as he struck his 100th goal in Kilmarnock colours, then Coulibaly produced a strike worthy of winning any game.

After the trials and tribulations of the last few weeks, Lee Clark was a very content man having kicked every ball from his seat in the stand where he served his onematch suspension after being dismissed from the dugout last week against Motherwell.

Clark said: “It won’t do my ticker any good if I’m in the stand every week but it if guarantees results I’ll do it.

“We gave a poor goal away and it seemed to swing the momentum as we lost cohesion and belief. However, it was a classic finish from Kris Boyd after good play from Jordan Jones and then there was a bit of magic in the box from Souley.”

Hamilton had been dominant for most of the match but they were guilty of failing to convert chances.

It was Ali Crawford’s pass in 26 minutes which led to the opener. He sent Alexandre D’Acol racing through the middle and although Greg Taylor got across to make a great block on the striker the danger was not over.

Greg Docherty was onto the loose ball first and found Louis Longridge on the left side of the box and he drove a low right foot shot under Jamie MacDonald.

The Killie keeper should have done better and having got their noses in front, Hamilton really began to exert their authority. They had excellent opportunities to extend their lead. Dougie Imrie burst down the right in 58 minutes and waited for Crawford to race into the box before delivering the perfect cross but the Accies’ playmaker hit a volley straight at MacDonald.

Then in 63 minutes Imrie was the provider again when he got into a similar position and teed up Docherty but he shot weakly when he could have burst the net and MacDonald saved with ease.

Killie sensed they could get something and the trickery of Jordan Jones on the left was the catalyst. He worked a great angle in 70 minutes and picked out Boyd at the back post who powered a header past Remi Matthews.

However, there was even better to come from the Ayrshiremen when they roared into the lead three minutes later. Hamilton thought they had defended a corner, clearing the ball to halfway but Greg Taylor quickly passed to Coulibaly just inside the area.

The Ivorian took a touch to his right and smashed a sensational strike into the top right corner.

Hamilton might have salvaged a point but substitute Richard Roy missed a great chance. Then in the final minute Crawford hit the left post with a terrific free kick.

They have recorded just one win in their last 16 matches at home which is a concern to manager Martin Canning. He said: “I think the home record is a bit of a concern but our performance was good so if we continue to play like that results will come

“We conceded two quick-fire goals for the second game running which was not ideal. I thought we played really well and controlled the game and the only thing that was missing was the second goal.

“We were not clinical enough at both ends.”