Surprise Scottish championship challengers Kilmarnock started 1999 in the way they have played all season, with a hard-fought win at Fir Park.

The side from Ayr, sandwiched by the Glasgow giants going into the New Year, were put under severe pressure by a Motherwell side which has seen a significant improvement in recent weeks.

But Killie got the winner with four minutes to go from defender Kevin McGowne after an opening goal from veteran Ally McCoist and a first half equaliser from Motherwell's Ged Brannan.

Motherwell were missing the influential presence of former Rangers and Chelsea striker John Spencer, as well as ex-Aston Villa defender Shaun Teale and Steve McMillan.

But they did have player/chief executive Pat Nevin ready to line up against his former club, and he was magnificent throughout, even if much of his work was wasted by more junior members of the Fir Park staff.

Early chances

The game started with both sides understandably confident following recent successes and it was the home team who threatened first.

In the fourth minute Kilmarnock keeper Gordon Marshall saved Brannan's long-range effort after Nevin's run and cross had just evaded attackers and defenders in the box.

Killie might have moved ahead after eight minutes when Paul Wright failed to connect properly from close range when in time and space following a Gary Holt header.

The visitors did move in front after 15 minutes seconds after Ally Mitchell hit a post from long range.

The ball was not properly cleared and Ian Durrant's clever reverse pass released his former Rangers colleague McCoist.

His shot from just inside the area defeated the outstretched arm of Motherwell keeper Stevie Woods and found its way into the net just inside the far post.

But Kilmarnock were denied the opportunity to build on that advantage as the home side came back into the match.

And after 27 minutes Brannan delivered a firm downward header past Marshall following a precise cross from the left by Michel Doesburg.

Kilmarnock pressed hard to regain their lead, on the half hour a run from Holt on the right culminated in a cross that striker Wright sent over the bar with a spectacular overhead kick.

Both sides could have led at the break after Jan Michels and Durrant had chances but they went into half-time deservedly all-square.

Nevin leading from the front

The second half saw increased Motherwell pressure with Nevin to the fore, but they could not break through against the rock of a defence which Killie have built their challenge on.

All too often the final ball from the home side was not good enough, and when they did create the opening, chances were spurned.

Owen Coyle was as guilty as anyone, driving one chance across goal with only Marshall to beat and then heading straight at the former Celtic keeper from six yards.

With 15 minutes to go Killie began to threaten after only rare attacks on the break up to that point.

McCoist had chances for a second and did have the ball in the net, only for the effort to be ruled off by a linesman's flag.

On 80 minutes more Nevin magic won a free kick on the edge of the area, but Tony Thomas' kick went well wide, and it appeared that both clubs were to start 1999 unbeaten after fine finishes to 1998.

McGowne's finishing touch

But Kilmarnock showed why they are challenging the Old Firm at the top of the table by applying the killer touch through McGowne.

The defender had stayed up after a set-piece and when the ball fell to him just outside the area, he hit it sweetly with his right foot, past Woods and inside the keeper's right-hand post.

It was harsh on Motherwell who stay fifth in the table, but Killie will not care about that.

They are three points behind Rangers and seven clear of Celtic as the Old Firm prepare for their New Year clash on Sunday.

Motherwell: Woods, McGowan, Brannan, Valakari, Coyle, Michels, Thomas, McCulloch, Doesburg, Matthaei, Nevin. Subs: May, Craigen, Ramsey, Adams, Bannister.

Kilmarnock: Marshall, MacPherson, Montgomerie, McGowne, Reilly, Holt, Wright, Durrant, Mitchell, McCoist, Baker. Subs: Mahood, Roberts, Lauchlan, Burke, Strain.