Kilmarnock defender Ash Taylor has not been without his critics in his career to date. Yet, if he continues to produce last minute volleys to turn games around there will be precious few grumbles.
Taylor lashed home a furious volley to give the Rugby Park side a point to celebrate on their return to the Cinch Premiership. It was no more than Derek McInnes’ side deserved after an opening period in which they had Dundee United pinned into their own half for much of the game.
The game’s direction changed following the second-half dismissal of United midfielder Ian Harkes with the numerical advantage giving Kilmarnock the impetus to push for a leveller. With a little more time the likelihood is that they may well have left with all three points rather than just one.
Taylor’s goal came about after Liam Polworth’s corner had been flicked on by Lewis Mayo and seemed to hang in the air for an eternity before the defender connect with aplomb.
“It felt like it took an age to come down when the corner came across,” smiled Taylor after the game. Once it finally did, it was just a question of getting as much power as possible behind it from the angle I was at. I’d rather it had been the winner, but it’s always nice to get an equaliser so late in the game - especially when we really deserved something from it.”
If Taylor’s contribution was interesting, so too was the afternoon itself. Fresh from their Championship success Kilmarnock are back in the top flight with a point to prove. On the evidence of Saturday they will fancy their chances of remaining just where they are. Kyle Lafferty still looks short of sharpness and there would have been a concern at the weekend in terms of how many chances they allowed to go by without taking them.
Still, the contribution of Ryan Alebiosu, on-loan from Arsenal, was impressive. The fullback’s fitness is not quite up to speed with the rest of the squad but an athletic and direct player, he looks capable of making a compelling contribution this term.
It was Dylan Levitt’s wonderful strike from the edge of the box gave United the lead on the cusp of the break with the Welsh midfielder an impression technician. The Tannadice side’s goal seemed to spook Kilmarnock with the hosts struggling to impose themselves on the game after the break.
It was Harkes dismissal for a second booking that paved their way back into. The leveller was deserved and United will feel that they need to up their game ahead of Thursday night’s Europa Conference qualifier against AZ Alkmaar at Tannadice.
Levitt has signed on a permanent contract following his loan spell with the club last erm. The product of the Old Trafford youth academy, he is an intriguing prospect who is capable of producing moments of real quality.
“He’s a great wee player,” said his senior colleague, Steven Fletcher, whose backheel created the goal. “If he’s going to back me up like that on the edge of the box, I’ll take that all day long.
“He doesn’t speak very much. But when he does, it’s important. I heard him just in time and laid off a cheeky wee back-heel for him. I had seen a few clips of him. But I knew straight away as soon as I arrived at the club, after the first training session, I could see he had real quality.
“It’s just the way he takes the ball, you can see the technique. I’ve played with a lot of young kids down in England. It’s so natural for them. You can see that he’s come through a good academy. The way he moves with the ball and the way he moves his body, it’s quality. He makes it look so easy.”
