KILMARNOCK 0 MORTON 2 Oliver (7), Quitongo (67)
IT was back to the bad old days for Kilmarnock, who turned in a truly dismal display in losing to second-tier Morton at Rugby Park.
Jai Quitongo marked his clinching goal – his first in senior football – with a backwards somersault but it was the formbook which was turned on its head here.
“I have dreamed of fans singing my name since I was a kid,” said the 18-year-old.
“It was extra special because I had a bet with Tam O’Ware.
“He said I wouldn’t score all season and now he has to take me to any restaurant I want.
“I had planned my celebration. I have done it since I was a wee boy.
“My dad used to do the cartwheels but I think my celebration was better.”
A decent passing move preceded Morton’s opener but Kilmarnock manager Lee Clark could only shake his head at the response from his rearguard.
The visitors moved the ball around well enough but the home defence offered as much resistance as bins on a training ground before Quitongo teed up a shooting opportunity for Gary Oliver.
Even then, home custodian Jamie MacDonald should have been able to keep out the striker’s weak effort from 18 yards but the goalkeeper was slow to react and the ball crept in off the far post.
Kris Boyd should have equalised four minutes later but the former Rangers and Scotland striker snatched at the chance when Josh Magennis laid it on a plate for him 15 yards and he failed to hit the target.
Magennis then hit the side-netting from a freekick but the home outfit were devoid of ideas.
Even replacing Boyd and Mark Waddington with Souleymane Coulibaly and Gary Dicker did not improve their display.
Indeed, things took a turn for the worse in the 67th minute.
Jonathan Burn, the centre-half making his debut on loan from Middlesbrough, allowed himself to be nudged off the ball by the eager Quitongo.
The forward, son of former Hearts star Jose, then left Burn trailing in his wake as he raced through to beat MacDonald with a low angled drive.
Quitongo could have rubbed Killie’s nose in it five minutes from time.
However, after slaloming through their defence, he shot straight at the goalkeeper.