Killie sink sorry 'Well

Motherwell and Kilmarnock did little to entertain

Motherwell 0-1 Kilmarnock

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An injury time strike from Kris Boyd was enough to secure maximum points for Kilmarnock in a dour struggle with Motherwell at Fir Park.

In a match starved of quality football, the visitors just about deserved to shade it for their slightly more adventurous approach.

It was an impressive Boyd free kick from 25 yards that settled the game in the 91st minute.

Bottom of the table Motherwell have now lost six games in a row and have not won an SPL game since their shock victory over Celtic on 10 September.

For the home side French goalkeeper Francois Dubourdeau began his first game since April in place of the dropped Stevie Woods.

Kilmarnock defender Freddie Dindeleux had not recovered from a dead leg and was replaced by James Fowler.

A drab opening period saw both teams struggle to find any rhythm and neither goalkeeper was called upon to make a significant contribution.

The home side briefly established the upper hand but the visitors defended doggedly to thwart 'Well's advances.

It was a dull match at Fir Park

The first time the goal was threatened was when 'Well's Derek Adams' 25th minute shot from 20 yards flashed inches wide of the target.

Soon after, Kilmarnock came close when Di Giacomo picked up a Boyd pass 14 yards out and drilled a right foot shot narrowly past the post.

Then a Steve Fulton free-kick from 25 yards had Dubourdeau scrambling smartly to save.

The home side nearly stole into the lead in the 32nd minute when a Dougie Ramsay shot caught Gordon Marshall flat-footed, but the Killie keeper recovered in time to stop the ball sneaking in.

The second half was only a mild improvement on the dire opening 45 minutes with the long ball tactic all too prevalent.

On the hour, Dubourdeau was smartly off his line to foil Di Giacomo after Boyd had headed down a Greg Shields free-kick.

Minutes later, the French keeper made a great save from Boyd who should have done better with the goal to aim from 12 yards out.

Motherwell striker Dirk Lehman went close in the 74th minute when his header from 12 yards went narrowly over the bar.

Moments later, an Adams free-kick from 25 yards was well saved by Marshall at his right hand post.

Seconds into injury time Kilmarnock took the lead when Boyd hammered home a 25 yard free-kick which gave Debourdeau no chance.

Motherwell: Dubourdeau, Corrigan, Partridge, Cowan (Russell 86), Hammell, Adams, Pearson, Ramsey, McDonald, Lehmann, Khemas (Ferguson 66).
Subs Not Used: Woods, Fagan, Kinniburgh.

Booked: McDonald.

Kilmarnock: Marshall, Fowler, Innes, Shields, Dillon, Canero, Fulton (Sanjuan 85), Mahood, Murray (Hay 87), Boyd, Di Giacomo (McSwegan 80).
Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Quitongo.

Booked,/B>: Innes, Dillon.

Attendance: 4,439
Referee: K Clark