PREMIERSHIP
KILMARNOCK 1
Boyd (32)
MOTHERWELL 2
McHugh (51), Jules (76)
KRIS BOYD made the record books yesterday by scoring the 200th top-flight league goal of his career.
He then had the chance to add another to his incredible tally but missed a penalty in stoppage time to deny Kilmarnock a point.
It meant the game was won by Motherwell, a victory which took them out of the bottom two places and into eighth.
They were one down to Boyd’s 32nd minute opener but goals after the interval from Carl McHugh and Zak Jules gave Stephen Robinson a win in his first game in interim charge.
Boyd said: “I’m raging I’ve missed the penalty because it would have won us a point. It’s nice to score my 200th league goal but I wanted to get my 201st. But I won’t shirk my responsibilities and I’ll step forward to take the next one.”
Caretaker Kilmarnock boss Lee McCulloch was gutted at full- time but refused to blame Boyd.
McCulloch said: “Penalty misses happen. I didn’t watch it. If we were to get another one in the next five minutes I’d want Kris to take it.
“It’s an unbelievable achievement for the big man to score 200 league goals and I thought he was outstanding today. I told him after the game.
“He led the line and we dominated the first half after not a great start in the first 15 minutes.”
McCulloch was spot on about Boyd. The former Rangers and Scotland hitman looked dangerous throughout the first half and could have had a hat-trick.
He rattled the crossbar and came close with two headers. His goal was a lovely finish when he placed a shot past Samson from eight yards.
Motherwell never got going until after the interval.
They equalised in the 51st minute when Carl McHugh hit a powerful shot from six yards into the net after a goalmouth scramble from a corner kick.
The game then opened up and it was end to end.
Sean Longstaff and Jordan Jones were close to scoring.
Fred die Wood man then denied Scott McDonald with a good save low down to his left.
But the Killie keeper was helpless in the 76th minute when Jules scored with a header at the back post.
McCulloch urged his players forward and they were given a chance from the penalty spot in stoppage time when Elliott Frear fouled sub Callum Roberts.
Boyd took the spotkick but his effort bounced back off Samson’s left-hand post.