A brace from Joe Hugill secures safety for Killie, delight for Neil McCann has been a revelation since his arrival to the Rugby Park dugout.
It was a cagey opening first 15 minutes, the hosts had the opening chance, Findlay Curtis with some excellent wing play, floating an enticing ball into the Dundee box, but it just missed the head of Joe Hugill. Moments after, Tom Lowery sees his powerful attempt on goal from the edge of the box saved by Dundee keeper Kieran O’Hara.
A tense atmosphere was already building inside Rugby Park. But the hosts were in control of the match in the early stages.
Midway through the first half, Kiliie had the ball in the back of the net, some quick and clever play as Greg Kiltie played a dangerous ball into the box, Findlay Curtis managed to get on the end of it to poke it in past Kieran O’Hara, much to the joy of the home fans. That joy was short-lived as VAR deemed the goal to be offside.
A rare and glaring opportunity arose for Dundee as Fin Robertson found himself in acres of space inside the Killie box following a quick counterattack; however, the delivery to him was abysmal.
A corner brought some hope for the hosts; unfortunately for Killie, it came to nothing. Following the corner, Dundee set out on a counterattack, which was abruptly ended when Robbie Deas brought down Scott Wright on the halfway line, resulting in a yellow card for the Kilmarnock captain.
Two huge chances for Kilmarnock on the stroke of half-time, Bruce Anderson almost squeezed the ball into the back of the net from close range. Another glorious opportunity from the resulting corner, Findlay Curtis’s header was just inches wide.
With the news that Saint Mirren were leading at Pittodrie, the anxiety amongst the home fans grew even more as the whistle for half-time went.
Kilmarnock finally got the goal they needed through Tom Lowery in the 62nd minute; the midfielder rifled the ball right into the far corner of the net. Kieran O’Hara had absolutely no chance.
Another massive chance for Findlay Curtis moments after his side took the lead, however, the tricky winger could not convert as his attempt went wide, a golden opportunity for the home side to go two up.
That chance would come back to haunt him as Dundee re-grouped and went on the offensive, equalising through substitute Charlie Riley. His strike from just outside took a deflection and flew into the back of the net, ultimately going down as a Tom Lowery own goal.
Just as Dundee drew level, St. Mirren doubled their lead at Pittodrie, a terrible passage of time for Killie.
Lifeline for the hosts in the 84th minute. A clumsy challenge by young prospect Charley Oosenbrugh on Aaron Tshibola inside the box led to a penalty being awarded for Kilmarnock. Joe Hugill stepped up and made no mistake, burying his penalty into the bottom left corner, sending the Killie fans into pandemonium.
Killie sealed the deal as Neil McCann’s men made it 3-1 with just seconds left on the clock. Joe Hugill nodded the ball into the net, grabbing a brace for himself on the night after substitute Rory McKenzie capitalised on some poor Dundee defending and secured Killie’s status as a Premiership side for another season.
Coming into tonight’s game, Neil McCann knew a victory for Kilmarnock would secure their Premiership status for another season. Facing a heavily rotated Dundee side, who have already secured their spot in Scotland’s top flight for another season, despite many people backing the Dee to face the drop at the start of the season.
This result now means that this season’s League Cup winners, St. Mirren, will play in the relegation play-offs and could well face the drop to the Scottish Championship.
As for the hosts, they can travel stress-free to Livingston for their final game of the season this coming Sunday.
Player Ratings
Kilmarnock: Stryjek 7, Schønning-Larsen 8 (Mayo 87′ 6), Stanger 7, Deas 8, Thompson 8, Tshibola 8, Lowery 8, Curtis 7, Hugill 9, Kiltie 7 (McKenzie 92′), Anderson 6 (Watkins 58′ 6, Watson 87′ )
Dundee: O’Hara 6, Astley 7, Clark Robertson 6 (Bevan 67′ 6), Koumetio 6, Halliday 6 (Oosenburgh 4), Finaly Robertson 6, Jones 7, Cotteril 6 (Yogane 86′), Samuels 5, Wright 5 (Reilly 68′ 6), Hay 6 (Westley 68′ 6)
