Killie move up to joint second after slaying the Buddies

Kilmarnock won their fourth game on the trot in the league in controversial circumstances to go joint second in the league table thanks to a winner from Aaron Tshibola. And in every one of the victories, Steve Clarke’s men came from behind to win the points. But seething St Mirren boss Oran Kearney felt aggrieved and branded the decisions from the officials as “crazy” and revealed he didn’t even see the point in questioning them at full-time. Not only was the 68th minute winner contentious, St Mirren also had a goal disallowed in the 70th minute through Simeon Jackson. It was ruled out for offside but that was the wrong decision, and it denied Saints levelling it at 2-2. Kearney said: “Crazy. Their second goal is highly questionable and Simeon is a yard-and-a-half onside for the goal that was disallowed. That was the wrong call and denied us a chance in the last 15 minutes. “It has cost us. I didn’t speak to the referee. What’s the point? I’d only get emotional and say something that’d get me suspended or into trouble.” The Paisley side remain second bottom with just four points from nine games. Yet, they took the lead in the 14th minute when Adam Hammill’s free-kick from 25 yards out, wide on the left, deceived everyone and flew through a ruck of players and beyond Jamie MacDonald. Steve Clarke knew he had to manoeuvre one or two things and, as usual, he did so to fine effect. Killie came out buzzing for the second half with renewed energy and drive in the final third. It wasn’t a surprise to see them level in the 56th minute when Chris Burke drilled a corner kick to the edge of the box and Alan Power was there to fire home a wonderful strike past Samson. The keeper had absolutely no chance. Then the winner came and it was a sore one for the home team. Tshibola headed home a Gregg Stewart cross at the back post. There was great debate about whether the ball was over the line and Samson made his feelings clear to all three match officials at full-time, particularly the standside assistant, Douglas Ross. Clarke didn’t get drawn on the debate but did challenge his players to make it five wins a row next week when they face Hamilton. He said: “We won after going a goal down. It is a bad habit that we need to get rid of. “St Mirren were really good in the first half, they got about us and disrupted our rhythm. We had a chat at half time and put things right. “It was a good strike. That’s Alan Power’s first Kilmarnock goal. It was a nice reward for him. “For the winner, it was clever, a quick corner, a good ball in and a great header from Aaron. I don’t know if it was in because I am miles away. The boys in the dressing room said it was over the line. “We now look to go again. It is difficult to win four games in a row. “We have a tough game against Hamilton. We want to make it five in a row, but won’t underestimate our opponents.”