Dundee 1-2 Kilmarnock

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Steven Smith scores for Kilmarnock against DundeeImage source, SNS
Image caption,

Steven Smith scored his first goal for Kilmarnock at Dens Park

Goals from Josh Magennis and Steven Smith helped Kilmarnock gain revenge for an early-season thumping by Dundee.

Magennis headed the visitors ahead early in the match and an impressive long-range strike by Smith doubled Killie's advantage.

Rhys Healey headed one back for Dundee and the hosts pressed for a leveller.

But Kilmarnock held out to claim successive Scottish Premiership wins and move to within a point of their opponents.

Gary Locke's side climb up to eighth, just behind a Dundee side that had won 4-0 at Rugby Park on the opening day of the Premiership season.

Kilmarnock were quickly out of the traps at Dens Park and deservedly took the lead.

Image source, SNS
Image caption,

Josh Magennis (number 28) beat Dundee keeper Scott Bain with a header

Kallum Higginbotham turned and twisted his way to the right-hand side before sending a hanging cross into the Dundee box. Magennis soared above the home defence and headed low into the bottom right-hand corner of Scott Bain's goal.

The Northern Irishman was proving a real handful for the Dundee rearguard, using his strength and power to upset both James McPake and Daryll Meggat in central defence.

Rory McKenzie came close to adding a second after finding space at the back post, his header hitting the side net.

Magennis then took a brilliant first touch to go clear on goal but his effort was straight at Bain.

Greg Stewart had been kept relatively quiet on the right-hand side for Dundee but almost equalised when he cut in from the right, his shot just wide.

Smith thundered home minutes into the second half after McKenzie had waltzed past three Dundee defenders and slipped a pass to the left-back.

Image source, SNS
Image caption,

Healey netted Dundee's consolation goal

Dundee manager Paul Hartley reacted quickly and replaced Gary Harkins and Kane Hemmings with Nicky Low and Paul McGowan.

There was an almost instant reaction when Healey set up Nick Ross but the midfielder shot wide.

However, the home side did pull one back when Healey took advantage of some hesitant Kilmarnock defending to net from close range.

Another header, this time by Paul McGinn, required a magnificent one-handed save by Jamie MacDonald to keep Killie ahead.

And in one final advance, Low snatched at his shot after being played in by Healey.

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