Kilmarnock 2-0 Dundee United

Hamill fires Kilmarnock in front from the penalty spot

Kilmarnock ended a run of five straight defeats with victory over Dundee United at Rugby Park.

A disappointing first half ended with Killie taking the lead through Jamie Hamill's penalty after Mehdi Taouil had been fouled in the box.

David Fernandez got Killie's second on 61 minutes, shooting high into the net from James Fowler's cross.

United had two penalty claims turned down after the break as the visitors lost for the first time in 10 matches.

The win lifts Kilmarnock to fifth in the table while United slip to fourth behind Hearts.

Neither team made significant in-roads towards goal in the opening 25 minutes until the visitors almost capitalised on a goalkeeping error.

Alan Combe spilled Sean Dillon's cross but Scott Robertson's shot was blocked and Craig Conway's effort sailed over the bar from the edge of the box.

At the other end, Conor Sammon's 25-yards effort failed to trouble Lukasz Zaluska.

The home side opened the scoring in the final minute of the half.

Taouil's skilful run into the United penalty area was interrupted by Morgaro Gomis' trip and Hamill converted the spot-kick.

Roy O'Donovan came close for the visitors early in the second half with shot from 20 yards, which went wide.

United top scorer Francisco Sandaza twisted and turned to hold off defender Simon Ford but the striker's shot hit the side netting.

Willo Flood, Francisco Sandaza and David Fernandez

Fernandez (far right) holds off two United players

Killie extended their lead when Fowler beat Paul Dixon on the right and crossed for Fernandez to score against his former club.

United manager Craig Levein sent Jon Daly and Danny Swanson on for O'Donovan and Willo Flood in an effort to change the course of the match.

Willie Gibson, who had replaced Craig Bryson for the home side, had a penalty appeal denied when his cross appeared to strike Paul Dixon's arm.

Manuel Pascali then volleyed straight into the arms of Zaluska.

Daly went down in the Kilmarnock penalty area under the challenge of Gibson but referee Euan Norris waved play on.

Sandaza claimed he was brought down by Combe but referee Norris adjudged that the goalkeeper's sliding challenge had won the ball.

Gomis had an effort from long-range effort which was saved by Combe before Kilmarnock striker Allan Russell made his home debut as a late replacement for Sammon.

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies:
"The first half-hour was a bit flat from both teams but it was a terrific bit of skill by Mehdi Taouil that led to the penalty.

"Once we went in 1-0 up at half-time, I thought the second half was a great performance. We controlled it better and got the second goal.

"That's a terrific three points and if we can pick up results at home and get something away from home, we'll be in a good position by the turn of the year.

"As long as we get the chance to have our strongest team on the park, we'll be okay.

Dundee United manager Craig Levein:
"We just didn't quite hit the heights that we've been hitting in recent weeks.

"We lost a goal bang on half-time. In the first half, we were the better team but I wouldn't say we dominated. To go in at half-time 1-0 down was certainly a body blow for us.

"Kilmarnock dug in and got the goals at crucial times so all credit to them.

"I don't know if we would have won the game in all honesty but we would have got back into it with a penalty."

Kilmarnock: Combe, Fowler, Wright, Ford, Hay, Bryson (Gibson 67), Hamill, Pascali, Taouil, Fernandez (Skelton 90), Sammon (Russell 79).
Subs Not Used: Harpur, Flannigan, Cox, Nolan.

Booked: Taouil, Fowler, Hamill.

Goals: Hamill 45 pen, Fernandez 61.

Dundee Utd: Zaluska, Dillon, Dods, Wilkie, Dixon, Flood (Swanson 67), Scott Robertson, Gomis, Conway, O'Donovan (Daly 67), Sandaza.
Subs Not Used: McGovern, Feeney, Kovacevic, Kenneth, Buaben.

Booked: Conway.

Att: 4,652

Ref: E Norris

BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Kilmarnock's Mehdi Taouil and David Fernandez and Dundee United's Craig Conway 7.00 (on 90 minutes).

Please note that you can still give the players marks out of 10 on BBC Sport's Player Rater after the match has finished.

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