Killie boost survival hopes as Lafferty hits hat-trick in 11 minutes to sink United
KILMARNOCK Lafferty 32, 35, 43 pen DUNDEE UNITED
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Kyle Lafferty was Kilmarnock's hat-trick hero as they boosted their Scottish Premiership survival hopes.
The Rugby Park outfit took a huge stride towards securing their top-flight status as Lafferty's 11-minute first-half treble secured a 3-0 win over Dundee United.
The Northern Ireland international opened the scoring after 32 minutes, doubled their advantage three minutes later and then completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after 43 minutes.
This was a vital victory for Tommy Wright's charges as it moved them five points clear of bottom club Hamilton with just three games remaining.
Crucially, the win lifted the Rugby Park outfit out of the relegation play-off spot and two points above Ross County into 10th place.
Following a lacklustre opening from both sides, Kilmarnock made the crucial breakthrough through Lafferty after 32 minutes.
Ross Millen whipped in a glorious cross which Dundee United goalkeeper Deniz
Mehmet came for but got nowhere near and Lafferty had the simple task of heading into the unguarded net.
It got even better for Kilmarnock just three minutes later as Lafferty notched their second as he was once again set up by Millen.
Chris Burke slid a through ballinsidedundeeunitedfullback Jamie Robson to Kilmarnock's left-back Millen to race onto and he put a cut-back on a plate for Lafferty to lash the ball home from 10 yards out. Lafferty was then gifted an opportunity to complete his hat-trick when Kilmarnock were awarded a penalty just three minutes before the interval.
Dundee United's Jeando Fuchs needlessly barged into the back of Burke as the Kilmarnock winger was heading out of the penalty area and referee Alan Muir had no option
but to point to the spot. From 12 yards out, Lafferty made no mistake as he calmly sent Mehmet the wrong way.
Dundee United needed a reaction in the second half and substitute Archie Meekison, who had replaced Florent Hoti on the hour mark, came close to reducing the deficit as he unleashed a dipping drive which narrowly missed the top corner.
Meekison then played a through ball for Luke Bolton but he was denied by Kilmarnock goalkeeper Colin Doyle.
Kilmarnock: Doyle, Millen, Broadfoot, Rossi, Haunstrup, Burke (Tshibola 75), Dicker, Power, Pinnock, Mckenzie, Lafferty (Kabamba 76). Subs not used: Medley, Mcgowan, Oakley, Kiltie, Waters, Mulumbu, Rogers.
Dundee Utd: Mehmet, Liam Smith, Kerr Smith, Connolly, Jamie Robson, Harkes, Fuchs, Hoti (Meekison 60), Bolton, Appere, Sporle. Subs not used: Reynolds, Mcnulty, Clark, Edwards, Butcher, Shankland, Davidson, Alexander.