Venue: Rugby Park                                                                   Date: 08/01/25                                                      Time: 19:45pm

Aston Oxborough proved the difference as Kilmarnock struggled in front of goal, a result that left the home side two points off both the top six and relegation play off place.

With a shot that would set the tone for the evening, Marley Watkins sent what should have been a simple finish from Fraser Murray’s low cross well wide.

Motherwell were often forced into last ditch defending, captain Liam Gordon preventing Watkins getting on the end of Corrie Ndbaba’s ball into the box.

Aston Oxborough did his part, denying Fraser Wright’s header from Murray’s corner with a brilliant save.

His opposite number Robby McCrorie was called into action soon after, diving low to keep out Tony Watt.

There was jubilation on the home bench when Brad Lyons put his side in front but joy soon faded as VAR judged the captain to have strayed offside.

Lyons continued to push for a goal but his curling effort dipped a fraction too late, landing on the roof of the net.

Kilmarnock continued to hammer on Oxborough’s door, Murray’s corner again came close to providing the opener but for a double clearance from Gordon and the keeper himself.

Next it was the crossbar’s turn to deny Derek McInnes the three points, Lyons rattling the woodwork from another excellent Murray set piece.

Watt fired another effort into McCrorie, whose evening was relatively straightforward compared to Oxborough who produced another fine save to deny Watkins.

Killie front men struggle

It’s fair to say this season has been a struggle for some of last year’s standout performers.

Having bagged a combined 18 goals on their way to a European place last year, Marley Watkins and Darius Vassell have managed just 5 this season.

It is difficult to pinpoint what exactly has seen the forwards look a shadow of their former selves, making the task of reaching the top half all the more complicated.

Vassell remains injured but Watkins’ struggle to score a first league goal since October was epitomised by a wayward shot in the opening stages of game that would see only 3 of Killie’s 18 shots hit the target.

Fortunately for McInnes, Bruce Anderson is enjoying a standing season, averaging over a goal every two games.

Sitting just two points above the relegation play off place, the manager will need others to step up.

Motherwell defy difficult results to maintain pace

Part of what makes the Premiership so special is that it really the case that anyone can beat anyone (unless it’s Celtic).

Nobody will know that better than Stuart Kettlewell, whose side have lost as many games as they have won (nine) but still remain just three points off Dundee United in third.

With just one win in their last six and rivals constantly tripping up over themselves, Motherwell continue to look among the favourites to finish in the top half.

Tonight, the crucial point was earned by Aston Oxborough who, after two seasons sitting patiently on the bench, has looked every bit of the 1.96m colossus he is between the posts.

Unfortunately football remains a team sport and 0-0 draws will not get you into the European places.

Especially when that position is threatened by a rampant Hibernian, now with four wins in six and five points behind.

Come Saturday, both sides will meet in Edinburgh and Motherwell have an excellent opportunity to put some real distance between themselves and the rest.

Attendance: 4,601

Line-Ups:

Kilmarnock (3-4-2-1): R. McCrorie, R. Deas, J. Wright, L. Mayo, C. Ndaba (B. Anderson 78’), L. Polworth, K. Magennis (J. Burroughs 65’), B. Lyons (c), B. Wales, F. Murray (D. Armstrong 77’), M. Watkins

Substitutes: B. Anderson, D. Armstrong, O. Bainbridge, J. Burroughs, L. Donnelly, G. Mackay-Steven, R. McKenzie, K. O’Hara, D. Watson

Motherwell (3-4-2-1): A. Oxborough, D. Casey, L. Gordon (c) (P. McGinn 58’), K. Balmer, E. Wilson, A. Halliday (K. Andrews 76’), D. Zdravkovski, M. Kaleta (S. O’Donnell 76’), J. Vale (T. Sparrow 63’), T. Maswanhise (M. Ebiye 76’), T. Watt

Substitutes: K. Andrews, S. Blaney, M. Ebiye, K. Hegyi, P. McGinn, S. Nicholson, S. O’Donnell, C. Slattery, T. Sparrow

Referee: Don Robertson