Ash Taylor ensured Kilmarnock fans left Rugby Park as high as their title-winning flag that was unfurled this afternoon prior to the Dundee United clash.
The Ayrshire side celebrated their Scottish Championship gong in the first league match at home since beating Arbroath 2-1.
And until the 90th minute, it looked like the 8,000-plus Killie faithful were heading home deflated. However, big defender Taylor lasered a volley into the top corner as if he was donning No 9 on his back.
The stoppage-time strike cancelled out a Dylan Levitt opener in the first half to earn Killie a first Premiership point.
Killie boss Derek McInnes said: “Any 90th minute equaliser is almost welcome, I thought it was the least we deserved.
“The noise when it hit the net, I want to hear that time and time again this season, the support was brilliant.
“I was really pleased with the performance, we were up a team who finished fourth for a reason last season.
“I am not surprised by the level of performance, that will win us games this season.
“It would have been a sore one if we didn’t get anything from the game, there was over 8,000 of our fans here and we are working hard to keep up that level of support.”
Liam Polworth had the chance to open the scoring within two minutes but his effort was well saved by Mark Birighitti who got down at his near post.
Charlie Mulgrew had a fantastic opportunity in the 18th minute as he attempted to smash home a free kick from 20 yards but Killie stopper Sam Walker tipped the effort wide.
Polworth then had two more chances to score from outside the area before the 40th minute but both efforts failed to hit the back of the net.
United then found themselves in front thanks to Levitt who rifled a powerful effort into the top corner.
Ian Harkes was shown red in the 72nd minute after picking up a second yellow card which reduced the Arabs to 10 men.
Oli Shaw somehow failed to find the back of the net as he fired a shot towards the goal; the bar was his undoing as the ball bounced down on the line.
Killie piled on the pressure although the fans became restless that it wasn’t to be their day. But Taylor stepped up and fired a cool volley from a corner into the roof of the net to send the home faithful wild.
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
