Kilmarnock launched themselves back to the summit of the Scottish Championship with a fine win against Raith Rovers this afternoon.
An unlikely opener from Stephen McGinn was complimented by a Kyle Lafferty double as the Ayrshire side sent the visitors back to Kirkcaldy empty-handed.
The result combined with Arbroath’s draw away to Queen of the South means the sides have drawn level on 46 points – although the Lichties have a game in hand.
Rugby Park boss Derek McInnes was delighted that his side came out firing so early.
He said: “I thought we got off to a good start, and I’d asked the boys to do that and they responded.
“We asked them to carry on from where they left off last week. I thought they came out the traps well.
“We seemed to find good spaces and gaps thanks to the willingness of forward runs from the players.
“I was delighted to get the second and third goals as they made life more comfortable, but we struggled to deal with their directness in the second half to be honest.
“Once we got the third goal it allowed us to breathe and we could manage the game, I was delighted with every one of my players.”
It took the hosts just four minutes to go in front as Lafferty’s headed effort from a corner came off the bar; it fell into the path of McGinn who slid the ball home.
Killie continued to dominate Raith and they were rewarded again in the 12th minute when Lafferty’s deflected effort after a Fraser Murray cross bounced over a helpless Jamie MacDonald.
Christophe Berra attempted to reduce the deficit just after half-time but he headed wide, leaving keeper Zach Hemming with nothing to do in the end.
Lafferty had a chance to put the game out of sight just before the hour mark with a free-kick from less than 20 yards but his low effort was scooped up by a thankful MacDonald.
Killie made it three in the 63rd minute as Murray and Lafferty linked up again, in similar fashion, as the winger cut it back to the Northern Irishman who made no mistake in rifling home.
Raith substitute Dario Zanatta finally dirtied the gloves of Hemming with a shot in the 70th minute but the on-loan Middlesbrough keeper reacted well to save expertly.
And Hemming pulled off another stunning save just minutes later, this time from a Sam Stanton effort.
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