Kilmarnock 1-2 Ross County

Liam Boyce grabbed a double as Ross County beat Kilmarnock to secure seventh spot in the Premiership.

Conor Sammon fired Killie in front with a 10th-minute penalty after Jonathan Franks tripped Jordan Jones in the box.

County levelled through Boyce, who diverted the ball in from a yard out after Jamie MacDonald saved a Christopher Routis shot.

And the Premiership's top scorer Boyce lobbed home his 23rd of the season after Kristoffer Ajer's error.

Victory means the Staggies finish the campaign in seventh position on 46 points, with Killie a place below on 41.

The visitors started well with Boyce forcing an early save from MacDonald, but it was home side who took the lead.

Conor Sammon makes it 1-0 with a composed finish from the penalty spot

Ross County defender Franks appeared to clip the ankle of Jones and the Kilmarnock winger went to ground. Referee Bobby Madden pointed to the spot and Sammon fired the penalty into the bottom corner.

County had a great chance to hit back after a fantastic run from Marcus Fraser. The defender swung in a cross for Craig Curran but his glanced header flew wide of target.

The away side did find an equaliser before the break, however. Franks smashed a long-range effort off the post and when Routis fired the rebound goalwards, MacDonald parried it straight at Boyce, who headed home.

There looked to be a serious injury right on the stroke of half-time for young Kilmarnock forward Greg Kiltie. The 20-year-old was eventually taken off on a stretcher, to be replaced by Rory McKenzie. Kiltie had only recently returned to the Kilmarnock first-team after a six month absence following knee surgery.

Kilmarnock midfielder Greg Kiltie went off before the break with a serious-looking injury

Aaron McCarey in the Ross County goal was forced into a fine double save from Adam Frizzell in the second half as Kilmarnock pushed for the three points.

But it was County who grabbed the crucial second and ultimately the winner. Killie defender Ajer missed his header and Boyce produced a cool lob over the keeper at the edge of the box to make it 2-1. It was the 24th goal in all competitions for Boyce, in what has been an incredible season.

McCulloch the man for Killie

Before the match, Kilmarnock director Billy Bowie revealed he wants Lee McCulloch to become permanent manager at the club.

As usual, the interim-boss played his cards close to his chest in the pre-match interview.

Christopher Routis' effort was saved by Jamie McDonald but the keeper parried the ball straight at Liam Boyce, who nodded home for 1-1

But talks have taken place and it looks to be a matter of 'when' and not 'if' McCulloch gets the job in a permanent capacity. Clearly the club are keen.

Despite the defeat there is suddenly a buoyant atmosphere at Rugby Park. At Kilmarnock's Grand Hall on Saturday evening, the club were preparing to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their Scottish Cup win; it would be no surprise if informal talks continued there between McCulloch and Bowie.

Post-match reaction

Kilmarnock interim-manager Lee McCulloch: "We played really well today. Passed the ball, looked dangerous, we just didn't have a cutting edge up front."

On his future: "I would say hopefully we will just get a sit down with Billy [Bowie]. Billy is a really busy man and he has worked wonders with this club. Hopefully in the next few days we will get time and have a proper chat and hopefully come to some agreement for the way forward for the club.

"I want to speak to Billy Bowie and [fellow board member] John Kiltie and let's see if we can put a plan together for the future of the club, and that's all I am going to say."

Ross County boss Jim McIntyre: "That was the aim when we didn't make top six, to try and be the best of the rest. I'm delighted to do that. We deserved our victory today. I thought we started the game exceptionally well, created three or four golden opportunities and we didn't take them.

"Then we gave away the penalty and after that Kilmarnock had a good spell. We changed the system, which definitely helped, and continued to go and create goal scoring opportunities. It was great to get some young lads on the pitch as well."

On Liam Boyce's future: "He is under contract, he is a fantastic footballer. He's a great boy, he is conscientious about his job and the longer we can keep him the better.

"If he moves on to something bigger and better and somebody wants to pay the big bucks, then we will just need to deal with that, but that's just part and parcel of being a manager at a football club."