Marley Watkins was the late hero for Kilmarnock as his 87th minute strike was the difference in a terrific 1-0 home win over Rangers.
It was a deserved goal for the hosts, who produced the better chances throughout the contest, as they picked up their first home league win of the campaign – and stretched their unbeaten run to six games in all competitions in the process.
The Welsh veteran was set up perfectly by David Watson – on the pitch a matter of seconds – and took full advantage of dithering from John Souttar to nip in behind the centre-back and poke the ball into the net to spark jubilant scenes in Ayrshire.
It was Kilmarnock who had the game’s first decent chance as Kyle Vassell’s harassing of Robin Propper almost paid dividends. The Killie skipper looked second best to a ball in the box but was able to outmuscle the Gers defender and tee the ball up for Watkins. With keeper Jack Butland out of position, the Welshman’s effort was blocked by Souttar to deny a fifth minute opener.
For all Rangers enjoyed plenty of the ball, it was the home side creating the better chances and once again they went close to breaking the deadlock on 12 minutes. A wonderful one-two between Corrie Ndaba and Vassell led to the former firing an enticing ball across goal but Matty Kennedy failed to provide the touch that would surely have sent the ball beyond Butland for the opener.
Rangers looked dangerous every time they went forward, however, and a timely Robbie Deas intervention thwarted a promising counter-attack before Robby McCrorie did well to palm away a Vaclav Cerny drive from the edge of the box as the visitors looked to break the deadlock.
Killie had the ball in the net on 28 minutes – only for a terrific Deas header from Kennedy’s whipped free-kick to be ruled out for offside, while Vassell couldn’t connect properly with a header himself five minutes before the break as Danny Armstrong sent the ball into the box.
Having offered little in the first half, Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers went close in the opening stages after the break when he was afforded time and space on the edge of the box. His fizzing effort was tipped wide by McCrorie at full stretch to keep the game goalless. Nedim Bajrami was next to try his luck as the Gers looked to offer a great cutting edge in attack with the Albanian international firing over after neat play in and around the box from Philippe Clement’s men.
McCrorie was called into action again to punch away James Tavernier’s corner-kick before he nearly handed Rangers the lead moments later. The keeper fumbled by recovered well to thwart Souttar from close range.
At the other end, Killie broke up the park as Kennedy raced clear only to run out of steam and ultimately fire a tame effort at Butland from 18 yards out as Tavernier raced back to put the winger under pressure. They squandered an even better chance a couple of minutes later as Deas could only find fresh air as he swiped at Kennedy’s delivery into the box.
Derek McInnes introduced Watson four minutes from time hoping the Scotland under-21 international could provide a late spark. And he did just that. Just seconds after his introduction, the teenage ace produced a wonderful ball forward with Watkins taking full advantage of slack defending to poke home the winner.
Rangers had one final chance go begging as Hamza Igamane looked to find the far corner in the dying moments, only to watch the ball roll wide as Killie held on for the win.
Kilmarnock: McCrorie; Mayo, Deas, Findlay, Ndaba; Armstrong (Mackay-Steven 72), Donnelly (Watson 86), Lyons, Kennedy (Burroughs 90); Watkins (McKenzie 90), Vassell (Anderson 72). Subs not used: O’Hara, Murray, Wales, Bainbridge.
Goal: Watkins (87)
Rangers: Butland; Tavernier, Souttar, Propper (Balogun 63), Jefte; Barron (Raskin 63), Diomande; Bajrami, Lawrence (Dowell 79), Cerny (Kasanwijro 79); Dessers (Igamane 71). Subs not used: Kelly, McCausland, Fraser, McKinnon.