Kilmarnock 1-0 Ross County: European hopes heightened for Derek McInnes' side
- Published
Kyle Vassell scored his 10th goal of the season
Kilmarnock moved a step closer to European football as they heightened Ross County's troubles in the Scottish Premiership's relegation play-off.
Visiting goalkeeper George Wickens was left red-faced as Kyle Vassell's 10th goal of the season ghosted right through the Fulham loanee.
With their last win on the road coming at Rugby Park back in September - one of only three home defeats inflicted on the Ayrshire side this campaign - County's away woes took hold once again.
St Mirren's loss at home to Hearts means Derek McInnes' men now have a five-point cushion in the final guaranteed European spot, while the Highland side are now four points behind St Johnstone in 11th.
In their gusty surroundings, Kilmarnock attempted to blow away the opposition from the off as Matty Kennedy cracked the woodwork inside the opening minute.
The conditions were king and forced a scrappy affair with half-chances dotted around the first period.
Eamonn Brophy and Michael Efete failed to take rare County openings, while Joe Wright and Liam Donnelly saw decent efforts saved by George Wickens.
As has often been his role this season, Danny Armstrong sought to provide spark with a venomous strike that was diverted inches over the bar by an Efete block.
Will Dennis' main concern had been staying on his feet against the forceful wind before the goalkeeper left the ground through necessity, stretching to parry a lovely curling effort by the in-form Simon Murray.
Keen to avenge their out-of-character defeat at Rugby Park earlier in the season, Kilmarnock ramped up the pressure, though the breakthrough came in ugly circumstances - not that a gleeful home crowd cared.
Their lead was barely threatened thereafter as County succumbed to another demoralising defeat.
The visitors' only real showing of fight came through a rammy started by Liam Polworth and Yan Dhanda that resulted in five bookings being dished out.
Player of the Match - Stuart Findlay (Kilmarnock)
The centre-half (right) made sure County barely got a sniff with a confident and assured performance reminiscent of his previous spells in Ayrshire.
Home comforts for Killie, Dingwall deja vu in offing - analysis
Derek McInnes demanded his players don't let complacency kick in after they sealed a place in the top six with a draw at Tynecastle last weekend.
While it wasn't a free-flowing performance by any means, the guts and desire that has characterised their charge up the table this term were on full display.
Results went their way to add to the feelgood factor that has transformed the Ayrshire side from this time last year.
They may not have sorted their troubles on their travels, but Kilmarnock's home form has been sensational - and could well be the reason they get their passports out in the summer.
Don Cowie had done well to instil more belief after the Derek Adams saga with positive results, such as their late comeback draw against Hibs and their confident dismissal of high-flying Hearts.
But back-to-back defeats now leave them languishing in the play-off spot that forced them into an almighty comeback to stay in the division last season.
The players have spoken about their desperation to avoid that precarious scenario again.
With the split on the horizon, if they can't turn things round soon a sense of Dingwall deja vu seems increasingly likely.
What they said
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: "I thought we had more control of the game. It was a great finish from Kyle [Vassell]. It's just about managing the game and seeing it out. I thought we just about deserved to win.
"Complacency is the devil. We're doing a lot of god things, we never have a lazy day. We probably need a couple more wins to secure European football. That's the intention."
Ross County interim manager Don Cowie: "Disappointed to take nothing from it. The conditions were very challenging. Our biggest frustration is conceding and allowing them to get three points when I didn't think there was too much in it.
"We've got six very important games left, it's about preparing right and taking as many points as we can."
What's next?
Kilmarnock travel to St Johnstone in their final game before the split on Saturday (15:00 BST), while Ross County host Rangers the following day (12:00).