Kilmarnock made sure they’d be playing in the William Hill Premiership for another season after a nail-biting 3-2 victory over Dundee at Rugby Park. Attacker Danny Armstrong put the hosts ahead with a goal from the penalty spot in the 31st minute, but Dens Park midfielder Lyall Cameron leveled the score with just 15 minutes left on the clock.
Bruce Anderson quickly restored Kilmarnock’s lead a minute later, followed by defender Robbie Deas heading in a third goal in stoppage time. However, Cameron managed to drive in his second goal soon after, setting up a tense final few minutes for the home fans. The win ensured that Kilmarnock finished safe from a relegation play-off spot.
With only two fixtures left, Dundee currently sits in 10th place, two points ahead of Ross County and five points ahead of bottom side St Johnstone. Their fight for survival is far from over.
Kilmarnock came into the match in good form, having won three of their last four games in the league. Dundee goalkeeper Trevor Carson was called into action early on, making a crucial save from Deas’s header from a corner.
Anderson missed a golden opportunity for Kilmarnock in the seventh minute after a fantastic setup by wing-back Corrie Ndaba. The striker scuffed his shot from eight yards and sent it wide of the post. Meanwhile, home goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara made a diving save to deny Simon Murray’s long-distance effort.
The match continued with both sides evenly matched, but it was Killie midfielder Liam Donnelly who drew a penalty after being challenged by Dundee’s Sebastian Palmer-Houlden. Armstrong stepped up and confidently smashed the ball into the net, giving Kilmarnock the lead at halftime.
The second half started with Kilmarnock putting pressure on Dundee’s defense, but Ndaba missed a chance in the 50th minute, slashing a shot wide of the target from 10 yards out. Kilmarnock captain Stuart Findlay then missed a great opportunity to extend the lead, glancing his header wide from six yards following a Murray free-kick.
Dundee began to fight their way back into the game, and in the 65th minute, there was a VAR check for a penalty after Murray claimed Vassell had pushed him in the box. The referee initially ignored the claim but was eventually sent to review the incident on the pitchside monitor before waving play on.
Despite Dundee’s efforts, Kilmarnock managed to hold on to their lead until substitute Adewumi disrupted the defense and Cameron scored the equalizer. The elation of the Dundee fans was short-lived, as Anderson headed in a goal from Donnelly’s cross to put Kilmarnock back in front.
As Dundee pushed forward, leaving gaps at the back, Carson made several crucial saves to deny Kilmarnock substitutes Polworth, McKenzie, and Vassell. Deas then sealed the victory for Kilmarnock with a header from an Armstrong corner.
Cameron scored his second goal from outside the box in the fifth minute of added time, giving Dundee a glimmer of hope. However, Kilmarnock managed to hold on for the win, securing their safety in the Premiership for another season.
