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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Lochlin Highet

Kilmarnock 2 Hamilton 0 as Ayrshire side cruise to comfortable Rugby Park victory

Kilmarnock ensured they kept up the pressure on Championship leaders Arbroath with a professional win at home to Hamilton.

Goals from Fraser Murray and Blair Alston either side of half time ensured it was a comfortable afternoon for the Ayrshire side.

It marks three league wins in a row at Rugby Park for Derek McInnes's men, and it was much-needed with the Lichties winning at home against Dunfermline and Partick Thistle beating Inverness on Friday night.

It's four unbeaten in the Championship for Killie as they get set for a crucial Ayrshire Derby away to bitter rivals Ayr United on Friday.

Delighted Killie boss McInnes said: "My team talk was already constructed because everything that I had asked for was in the performance except the finishing touch.

"We have been guilty of that in the past in my time here of being on top but not putting teams to bed.

"I thought we were relentless in our work. Out of possession, with our press, we were spot-on. We had good energy but it was just that sense of not talking our chances but Fraser got his goal and then we asked for more of the same in the second-half.

"We had a wee lull between 65 and 75 minutes and their changes gave them a bit of impetus albeit that I don't think our keeper really had a save to make.

"The second goal takes away any anxiety. It was a very good performance. It was good to get a 2-0 victory but it could have been more."

The home fans were off their feet after just six minutes when Fraser Murray capitalised on slack defending before squaring it to Rory McKenzie inside the box, but the midfielder's low shot went straight into Ryan Fulton's grasp.

Just a minute later it was the visiting supporters almost cheering when a dangerous ball was whipped into the box, but both David Moyo and Andy Ryan somehow failed to connect with the ball at the back post, leaving Killie sighing a breath of relief.

Fraser Murray had a great chance to fire his side ahead just before the half hour mark, but it was Fulton to the rescue with a decent save, Stephen McGinn and Chris Burke failed to convert rebounded efforts.

And the winger had yet another good effort, this time in the 37th minute as he managed to cut inside and get the beating of the Accies defence, but his curling effort flew narrowly wide of the post.

Calum Waters was next to try his luck a minute later as he cut in on his weaker right foot, but Fulton smothered the effort well.

Oli Shaw had a wonderful chance to fire his side ahead just before half-time but his toe-poke hit the post - but thankfully Murray was there at the back post seconds later to tap home a cross.

It was two for Killie 10 minutes into the second half as Alston tapped home from close range after a double save from Fulton.

Euan Murray had a chance to bury the game beyond all doubt in the 73rd minute but his looping header was well saved again by Fulton.

Shaw almost had another chance of bagging a goal in the 85th minute as McKenzie squared it to him on the penalty spot, but brave Accies defending ensured the ball was cleared before the No 9 had the time to fire a shot away.

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