A last minute goal from Kilmarnock saw United leave Rugby Park empty-handed this afternoon.
First half
It was a blistering start from United and after two minutes of intense pressure John Rankin won a penalty courtesy of a clumsy Alexei Eremenko challenge inside the box. Nadir Ciftci cooly dispatched the penalty into the bottom of the Kilmarnock goal, giving United a deserved early lead.
Almost immediately after United’ s opener, the dangerous Ciftci threaded a delightful pass inside the box for Ryan Dow, however, the midfielders first time shot stung the chest of Craig Samson, from point blank range.
A perfectly struck free-kick, on nine minutes, was headed down by Manuel Pascali into the path of Josh Magennis whose first time shot slowly crept over the line for the leveller.
Despite Kilmarnock’s snappy leveller, United responded in the perfect manner with Henri Anier opening his United account. Chris Erskine’s clever reverse pass was controlled by the striker before lashing his shot into the net.
Just after half an hour, United were inches away from adding a brilliantly worked third goal. Paul Dixon’s high and looping delivery was misjudged by Samson but desperately cleared off the line by Pascali.
Second half
Completely opposite to the beginning of the first period, the second half started with Kilmarnock undoubtedly controlling the game in terms of possession and chances created and had Tope Obadeyi’s volley six minutes into the half been more accurate, Kilmarnock would’ve levelled the scores.
However, it wasn’t long until Obadeyi was picking the ball up from wide positions and causing the United defence problems again, this time, Obadeyi played a decisive pass into the box for Chris Johnston whose scuffed shot rather fortunately rolled underneath Cierzniak and slowly trickled into the back of the net.
A thorn in the United defence all afternoon, Magennis almost scored his second with ten minutes remaining, when his half volley curled just wide of the target.
Because of Kilmarnock’s undoubted dominance throughout the second half, it looked as if United would perhaps be fortunate to leave Rugby Park with the point, however, in the dying second, a combination of Rankin and Dillon brought down Paul Cairney on the edge of the box, giving the home side a fantastic opportunity to take all three points with the final kick of the match. Up stepped Sammy Clingan whose powerful strike evaded both Cierzniak and Dillon on the goal line.
Full time- Kilmarnock 3-2 United
Man of the match: Henir Anier not only scored his first United goal but also looked very sharp and dangerous throughout, his direct running off the shoulder of defenders causing a great deal of problems, especially in the first half.
Kilmarnock: Samson, Connolly, Clingan, Johnston, Obadeyi, Slater (’73 Hamill), Eremenko (’86 Ecclestone), Chantler, Magennis, Pascali, Westlake.
Unused subs: Brennan, Barbour, Cairney, O’Hara, Syme.
United: Cierzniak, McGowan (’46 Spark), Morris, Dillon, Dixon, Rankin, Telfer, Erskine (’56 Spittal), Ciftci, Dow, Anier (’74 Muirhead).
Unused subs: Szromnik, Paton, Butcher, Spittal, Connolly, Spark.
Attendance: 3,788.
Referee: Stephen Phinnie.
First half
It was a blistering start from United and after two minutes of intense pressure John Rankin won a penalty courtesy of a clumsy Alexei Eremenko challenge inside the box. Nadir Ciftci cooly dispatched the penalty into the bottom of the Kilmarnock goal, giving United a deserved early lead.
Almost immediately after United’ s opener, the dangerous Ciftci threaded a delightful pass inside the box for Ryan Dow, however, the midfielders first time shot stung the chest of Craig Samson, from point blank range.
A perfectly struck free-kick, on nine minutes, was headed down by Manuel Pascali into the path of Josh Magennis whose first time shot slowly crept over the line for the leveller.
Despite Kilmarnock’s snappy leveller, United responded in the perfect manner with Henri Anier opening his United account. Chris Erskine’s clever reverse pass was controlled by the striker before lashing his shot into the net.
Just after half an hour, United were inches away from adding a brilliantly worked third goal. Paul Dixon’s high and looping delivery was misjudged by Samson but desperately cleared off the line by Pascali.
Second half
Completely opposite to the beginning of the first period, the second half started with Kilmarnock undoubtedly controlling the game in terms of possession and chances created and had Tope Obadeyi’s volley six minutes into the half been more accurate, Kilmarnock would’ve levelled the scores.
However, it wasn’t long until Obadeyi was picking the ball up from wide positions and causing the United defence problems again, this time, Obadeyi played a decisive pass into the box for Chris Johnston whose scuffed shot rather fortunately rolled underneath Cierzniak and slowly trickled into the back of the net.
A thorn in the United defence all afternoon, Magennis almost scored his second with ten minutes remaining, when his half volley curled just wide of the target.
Because of Kilmarnock’s undoubted dominance throughout the second half, it looked as if United would perhaps be fortunate to leave Rugby Park with the point, however, in the dying second, a combination of Rankin and Dillon brought down Paul Cairney on the edge of the box, giving the home side a fantastic opportunity to take all three points with the final kick of the match. Up stepped Sammy Clingan whose powerful strike evaded both Cierzniak and Dillon on the goal line.
Full time- Kilmarnock 3-2 United
Man of the match: Henir Anier not only scored his first United goal but also looked very sharp and dangerous throughout, his direct running off the shoulder of defenders causing a great deal of problems, especially in the first half.
Kilmarnock: Samson, Connolly, Clingan, Johnston, Obadeyi, Slater (’73 Hamill), Eremenko (’86 Ecclestone), Chantler, Magennis, Pascali, Westlake.
Unused subs: Brennan, Barbour, Cairney, O’Hara, Syme.
United: Cierzniak, McGowan (’46 Spark), Morris, Dillon, Dixon, Rankin, Telfer, Erskine (’56 Spittal), Ciftci, Dow, Anier (’74 Muirhead).
Unused subs: Szromnik, Paton, Butcher, Spittal, Connolly, Spark.
Attendance: 3,788.
Referee: Stephen Phinnie.