Lafferty at the double as Kilmarnock go level at top

KYLE LAFFERTY scored twice as Kilmarnock moved level on points with Arbroath at the top of the table with a 3-0 win against Raith Rovers.

Killie made a flying start as Stephen McGinn opened the scoring in the fourth minute, firing home the loose ball after a Lafferty header came back off the crossbar.

Lafferty (inset) doubled Kilmarnock’s lead after 12 minutes when his goal-bound effort deflected in off Christophe Berra.

Berra saw a header hit the outside of a post for Raith early in the second half, while Lafferty had a free-kick saved at the other end shortly afterwards.

The Northern Ireland international did grab his second goal of the game after 63 minutes, coolly converting Fraser Murray’s cut-back.

Arbroath were grateful to goalkeeper Derek Gaston as the leaders drew 0-0 away at managerless basement boys Queen of the South.

Craig Wighton registered Arbroath’s first shot on target just before the break.

The home side – who parted company with Allan Johnston last week – had the better of it after the interval, with Gaston forced into saves by Kieran McKechnie and Aidan Fitzpatrick before he turned Shea Gordon’s effort on to the crossbar.

Sean McGinty and Tomi Adeloye were on target as Ayr extended their unbeaten run to three matches after a 2-1 win at 10-man Inverness.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men after 68 minutes when David Carson was shown a second yellow for a challenge on Adeloye and they managed to reduce the deficit four minutes from time through Lewis Nicolson but Ayr held.

Morton lost 1-0 away to Hamilton through a Lewis Spence goal in their first game since manager Dougie Imrie was banned for 10 matches for historical betting offences.