Watkins is the late hero for Killie as they hit Livi with 88th-minute sucker punch

Kilmarnock left it late to claim a crucial 1-0 victory over Livingston in the cinch Premiership at Rugby Park.

The visitors failed to convert a number of chances in the first half against their out-ofsorts hosts and were punished at the death.

Substitute Kevin van Veen was the provider, knocking the ball across goal for Marley Watkins to bundle home two minutes from time.

Killie strengthened their grip on fourth spot by winning their first league match of the year, while Livingston’s miserable winless run has stretched to 17, meaning they remain six points adrift at the bopttom.

Livi’s Steven Bradley had a weak early shot from distance smothered by Will Dennis, while Kyle Vassell blazed high and wide at the other end.

Livingston did have the ball in the net six minutes before the break after Scott Pittman raced onto Yengi’s defencesplitting pass and rolled the ball home, only to have his celebrations cut short by the offside flag.

On the stroke of half-time, Pittman curled an effort just wide with Dennis scrambling and Yengi then prodded wide after being brilliantly set free by Bradley.

The home fans voiced their displeasure at the end of the first half and Mcinnes reacted by making a double change. Matty Kennedy replaced Tom Davies and Polworth came on for David Watson.

Shamal George came up with a brilliant stop five minutes into the second half as he leapt to tip away Kennedy’s goal-bound shot. The Livi keeper was at it again on the hour-mark, sensationally keeping out Donnelly’s closerange header.

The home supporters were lifted by the introduction of Van Veen on 71 minutes, part of a triple switch by the hosts.

Killie survived a huge scare when Mo Sangare passed up a glorious chance after being picked out by Andrew Shinnie.

The hosts finally made the breakthrough with two minutes let when Van Veen nodded Kennedy’s cross into the path of Watkins, who turned the ball into the net.