Kilmarnock ended a four game winless run and jumped to within three points of the top six after a 1-0 home victory over Dundee United.
Marley Watkins was the matchwinner with his contentious 72nd minute goal arriving as he bundled over United keeper Jack Walton – although the stopper should have comfortably dealt with the danger.
The points became all the more meaningful prior to kick-off given St Johnstone’s victory at St Mirren saw the Perth outfit close the gap on Kilmarnock to just four points and while the hosts produced a largely ineffective performance, that matters little as they climbed two places in the table and re-ignited their bid for a top half finish.
Derek McInnes elected to make three changes to the side that suffered defeat at Hearts last time out, with Calvin Ramsay, Liam Polworth and Robbie Deas making way for Brad Lyons, David Watson and Danny Armstrong.
Things almost got off to a disastrous start when the visitors launched an attack in the opening seconds with Allan Campbell’s prodded effort going wide.
Chances were at a premium during the first half, although both sides tried to get on the front foot. A neat attacking move on 11 minutes resulted in Killie spurning an opportunity to take the lead when Jack Walton produced a terrific save to deny Joe Wright from close range.
The hosts were dealt a blow just after the half hour mark as skipper Lyons was forced off following a head knock after a collision with United debutant Campbell.
United were beginning to take control of the game but failed to turn that into chances of real note. Ruari Paton tried an acrobatic overhead kick from close range on the stroke of half-time that Kieran O’Hara gleefully saw go the right side of the woodwork for his liking as the two teams went into the break with nothing to separate them.
The visitors somehow managed to squander a glorious chance in the early stages of the second half when Luca Stephenson nicked possession off Wright – only to produce a woeful pass when the Arabs had a 3-on-2 counter-attack in the final third.
They continued to look the better side and moments later were inches away from getting themselves in front. A Will Ferry throw-in wasn’t deal with defensively with Sam Dalby’s header rattling the bar.
While they were putting their bodies on the line defensively, Killie were looking insipid at the other end of the park – so it was certainly someting of a surprise when they bagged they broke the deadlock on 72 minutes. But it was in as scrappy a manner as befitted the game.
Declan Gallagher’s attempted clearance went straight into the air with Watkins challenging Walton. The keeper was bundled to the ground and the ball ended up in the back of the net with the striker getting his fifth goal of the season.
United flung the ball forward in the closing stages and should have found an injury-time leveller when Glenn Middleton fluffed his lines from close range as Killie picked up a pivotal three points.
Kilmarnock: O’Hara; Mayo, Wright, Ndaba; Armstrong (Anderson 71), Watson (Donnelly 90), Lyons (Polworth 32), Magennis (Deas 55), Murray; Watkins (Ramsay 90), Wales. Subs not used: Glavin, McKenzie, Mackay-Steven, Brown.
Goal: Watkins (72)
Dundee United: Walton; Adegboyega (Middleton 82), Gallagher, Holt; Strain, Sevelj, Campbell (Trapanovski 82) Stephenson (Fiorini 69); Dalby, Paton (Moult 69). Subs not used: Richards, Graham, Babunski, van der Sande, Docherty.