Ross County 1-2 Kilmarnock: Killie see off County

Kilmarnock secured their first win of the SPFL season thanks to goals either side of the interval from Josh Magennis and Tope Obadeyi.

The home side did pull one back near the end when substitute Liam Boyce scored his first goal for the club with nine minutes left on the clock. But County couldn’t find an equaliser as the Ayrshire club held out for all three points.

County made a couple of changes from the side which suffered to a 4-0 loss against Partick Thistle in mid-week with Melvin De Leeuw and Jordi Balk going straight into the starting line-up. Skipper Richard Brittain was a surprise omission with full back Jim Fenlon the other player to be sacrificed.

Killie made just the one change following the 2-0 reverse at home to Aberdeen in mid-week with former Liverpool player Michael Ngoo replacing Chris Johnston up front.

This latest defeat sees County rock bottom of the SPFL table with zero points from their three outings. But if the previous two seasons are anything to go by the Highlanders will be hoping to make a gradual recovery and edge slowly up the table as the season progresses.

As for Killie they will be gladdened by this result – it proves they can survive without the goal-scoring prowess of Kris Boyd. New boy Michael Ngoo, freed by Liverpool at the end of last season, and Josh Magennis look as if they can forge a worthwhile partnership up front and supply the necessary number of goals to steer them clear of the bottom rung of the table. Both players put themselves about sufficiently to unsettle the County defence, which was culpable at both Killie’s goals.

With Craig Slater – the Scotland under-21 internationalist – pulling the strings in the middle of the park for Killie the visitors soon held the upper-hand. And with Josh Magennis and Jamie Hamill also in the mood for the visitors who got stronger as the match unfolded.

Just as in their opening home match of the season County were left wondering why they failed to take anything from the match.

They controlled large parts of the first half but lacked that vital cutting edge, while Killie bided their time and struck when least expected to leave County fighting an uphill battle in the second half.

Killie weathered the early storm and took the lead six minutes from the break when Josh Mcgennis rose highest in the box to head home an inch perfect cross from Craig Slater.

The home side suffered the loss of another goal nine minutes into the second half as Killie took the aerial route again. This time Ross Barbour supplied the cross and Obadeyi was allowed a free header at goal to double the lead.

But County threw on Joe Cardle, Brittain and Lim Boyce in an effort to get back into the match and the Irishman came up trumps with his first goal for the club in the 81st minute.

Fellow sub Cardle swung over the perfect cross for Boyce to head home from close range.

The home side pushed hard for an equaliser but the Killie kept the ball better and played out a good share of the remaining minutes in their opponents half without conceding any real scoring chances.