Kilmarnock 1-0 St Mirren

Mar 2 2008 Jordan Costello At Rugby Park

DANNY INVINCIBILE bagged a controversial clincher as Killie began erasing the memory of their Gretna mauling with three vital points.

But it was more misery for Buddies gaffer Gus MacPherson who must be getting sick of poor refereeing calls. His team were gutted by a soft decision that cost them a point against Celtic last weekend.

And this time whistler Mike Tumilty refused to blow when keeper Chris Smith looked to have been fouled seconds before Invincibile claimed the first-half winner.

However, Killie boss Jim Jefferies' relief will match MacPherson's frustration as his side bounced back from the 4-2 midweek humbling by lowly Gretna to create some breathing space at the bottom end.

Killie started brightly and almost took the lead in the first minute after neat work by Mehdi Taouil allowed him to play a lovely through ball to James Fowler.

His effort was saved by Smith and he couldn't get enough on the rebound as the ball rolled harmlessly back to the keeper.

At the other end Stewart Kean won a 50-50 and nodded to Mark Corcoran but David Lilley blocked his shot.

Five minutes later Kean fired in a firsttime cross for Billy Mehmet and Lilley did well to beat him to the challenge and clear.

From Corcoran's corner Ian Maxwell headed goalward but Craig Bryson was there to clear off the line.

There was then a scramble in the box and Corcoran found Kean whose try was brilliantly stopped by Alan Combe.

Buds continued to press for the opener and in 20 minutes Maxwell's long ball found Corcoran down the left.

His whipped cross just missed Kean and fell to Hugh Murray who cut back to Mehmet only for the hitman to blaze over.

Killie were under the cosh but were never out of it and Taouil produced a wicked ball into the box that was flicked away by Will Haining.

And in 25 minutes Jefferies' men went ahead.

No.1 Smith looked to have been pushed by Jamie Hamill when he tried to catch Garry Hay's corner.

But there was no whistle and Invincibile pounced to sweep into the empty net. MacPherson didn't look too pleased and his side should have cheered him up in 43 minutes.

Corcoran's cross found Kean free but the striker somehow managed to head over when he should have levelled.

Just before the break Andy Dorman broke clear and blasted a fierce left-foot drive from 25 yards that Combe did well to push past.

Killie needed half-time to regroup and five minutes after the restart almost doubled their lead.

Nice work on the touchline sent Taouil on his way and he picked out Invincibile.

His header was too tame and landed in the arms of Smith, though. Killie worked well to make that chance but were almost gifted a second in 58 minutes when Smith blundered a clearance.

The ball fell to Bryson 40 yards out and he fired an ambitious effort that the keeper recovered to collect.

Buds had a great chance to level on the hour when Maxwell found Mehmet in the six-yard box but his header flew wide. Minutes later Corcoran linked with Kean before blasting past.

The home side almost put the game beyond St Mirren in 70 minutes after sub Paul Di Giacomo slid a super pass through to Invincibile. He fired straight at Smith though.

The Aussie striker also miscued wide in 85 minutes. But he wasn't made to regret that howler as Killie withstood late Buddies pressure to ease to victory.

MATCH STATS

KILMARNOCK ST MIRREN

SHOTS ON 4

SHOTS OFF 1

OFFSIDE 1

FOULS 15

CORNERS 4

BOOKINGS 1

SHOTS ON 4

SHOTS OFF 6

OFFSIDE 3

FOULS 6

CORNERS 7

BOOKINGS 1

REF WATCH

MIKE TUMILTY upset both sets of fans with inconsistent display. Looked foul on Smith for goal. Rating: 5/10.