Dream Lafferty ends the Killie nightmare
KILMARNOCK 4
Lafferty (1), McKenzie (55), Burke (57), Pinnock (83)
MOTHERWELL 1
Maguire (8)
Kilmarnock boss Tommy Wright admits Kyle Lafferty can be a nightmare to manage, but he is also a dream on the pitch.
The Northern Ireland striker inspired the Rugby Park team to their first victory in 11 matches.
He hit the net and was involved in two other goals.
Wright, who began his time in charge of the club with a defeat by Motherwell and has been searching for a win ever since, was delighted to see his side climb off the bottom of the table.
He said: “Kyle can be a nightmare at times to look after because he’s always looking to play the practical joke, but he’s a good professional.
“He’s a presence. He can score if you get him the right service and we knew what we were getting.
“Kyle now has three goals in two games. He’s going to be a big player for us in the last five games.
“He did well at two of the other goals, particularly when he put a good ball in behind for Mitch Pinnock to run on to.
“We have to keep him fit and that’s why we brought him off near the end, when he was tightening up.”
Wright felt this victory was one that was overdue for his side. He added: “I believe we’ve played better and not picked up a result in the past.
“There were moments of quality in the performance and the players showed a lot of character.
“They made the right decisions at the right moments in the game and that’s probably something we’ve lacked since I’ve been here. That has cost us so many points.
“To get a clean sheet and have four different scorers is very pleasing.”
Lafferty had Killie ahead after only one minute but it was a goal that was largely down to bad misjudgment by Motherwell goalie Liam Kelly.
The veteran striker tried a speculative left-foot shot from outside the penalty area and it looked like one that would be easily stopped.
Somehow, Kelly allowed the ball to pass through his outstretched arms and give the home side a dream start.
It was a lead they were only able to hold for seven minutes.
Campbell’s cross was headed against the post and Barry Maguire was first to react by slamming it into the net.
It was a real scrap of a game and that was no surprise since it involved two sides battling to preserve their top-flight status.
A win for Motherwell would probably have been enough to confirm they were clear of the relegation issue, but some slack defending put paid to that.
Killie scored again when another Lafferty shot from the edge of the box was deflected up in the air.
Rory McKenzie nipped in and fired home.
Kilmarnock had the points in the bag a couple of minutes later when Chris Burke added another.
Pinnock crossed from the left and the veteran winger was given time to take a touch on the corner of the six-yard box and produced a cool finish.
The question of whether or not Motherwell should have left Scotland defender Declan Gallagher on the bench must have been uppermost in many fans’ minds when the fourth goal went in.
Lafferty fed Pinnock and he clipped the ball over on-loan defender Tyler Magloire, leaving him sprawling on the ground.
The Englishman then ran toward the posts and slid his shot past the keeper.
This victory is a major boost for Kilmarnock, but they still face a tense fight to avoid relegation.