ANNAN ATHLETIC 0
kilmarnock 2
Boyd (7, 62)
KRIS BOYD ended his goal famine and got both which sent his side to the top of Betfred Cup Group E.
Killie boss Lee McCulloch said: “Kris has been written off at every opportunity because he’s a little more high profile than most. But, when you’ ve got the finishing ability he’s got, you can’t write a guy like that off.
“I’m pleased he’s got his goals and we look to kick on from this.”
Killie almost went ahead after just two minutes when Boyd’s 20-yard shot brought a diving save from Jim Atkinson. Then he almost struck again when his header was just inches wide in six minutes .
But, in the seventh minute, he was set up by Dom Thomas and his shot went low and fast from eight yards into the net.
Boyd had another header saved before Thomas saw his shot from 15 yards flash past the post on 15 minutes.
Owen M ox on had Annan’s first real chance soon after but his curling 25-yarder went over.
Rory McKenzie could have doubled Killie’s score just on the interval but Atkinson made a fine save.
Annan came out looking for the equaliser and, after just 90 seconds of the second period, Ryan Stevenson’s shot flashed past. On the hour, Peter Watson could have levelled but his header from eight yards was blocked.
Two minutes later, Boyd got his second with a leftfoot drive from 18 yards.
Late on, Aiden Smith had two great chances for Annan. He was one on one with keeper Jamie MacDonald but the keeper blocked his shot. Then he blasted over from 12 yards.
Annan manager Peter Murphy said: “In every game the first 15 minutes is vital and we lost a goal. But overall it was quite pleasing the way we sat in and frustrated Kilmarnock.
“And then we had a few chances but they’re a Premier League side and we knew it was going to be tough.”