Kilmarnock 1-1 Gretna

Apr 27 2008 Jordan Costello At Rugby Park

CLASSY Craig Barr smashed home a late equaliser to grab a point as Kilmarnock's bogey team Gretna came back to haunt them yet again. Jim Jefferies' side were looking for revenge after losing 4-2 to the Borderers back in February and they looked like getting it after David Fernandez put them ahead.

But with Gretna's Polish keeper Artur Krysiak in superb form Killie struggled to add to the lead and with 16 minutes to go Barr managed to lash home a rebound from a corner to nick a point.

The home side had plenty of possession early on but struggled to create any meaningful chances against a well-organised defence.

Paul Dalglish, making his first start in a season plagued by injuries, was trying to make things happen and in 13 minutes he swung over a cross looking for Danny Invincibile but the Aussie couldn't get enough on the header.

Killie defender Tim Clancy's afternoon was brought to an early end in 15 minutes when he collapsed clutching his knee before being carried off with Grant Murray replacing him.

The home side had a great opportunity to open the scoring soon after when Garry Hay picked up a loose ball and put Iain Flannigan through on goal.

But the wide man tried to take the ball round Krysiak and the Pole got down to nick the ball away from his feet.

Invincibile then tried his luck from 22 yards but the ball drifted wide.

Gretna created their first opening in 33 minutes when Kyle Naughton's deflected effort on the angle almost caught out Alan Combe as the ball flew inches past.

And from Kissock's resulting corner Killie struggled to clear before the ball broke to Gavin Skelton whose strike lost its sting as it was deflected on its way through to Combe.

Gretna continued to press and in 36 minutes Nicky Deverdics fired an effort from 25 yards that fizzed past the post.

Just before the break Killie nearly took the lead when Flannigan's free-kick picked out David Lilley who was lurking at the back post but his low header was well saved by Krysiak.

Killie came close again just after the restart when Hamill almost found Invincibile with a dangerous cross but Krysiak did well to grab the ball off his head.

And three minutes later Hay's cross picked out Murray who headed the ball back across goal but there were no takers in the box.

But in 57 minutes the home side finally made the breakthrough after Invincible ended a surging run by playing a superb cut-back to Flannigan.

His strike was superbly saved by Krysiak but Spanish striker Fernandez fired home the rebound.

Gretna hit back straight away and should have had a penalty when Skelton's blocked shot spun back and clearly struck Dalglish's arm but referee Euan Norris waved play on.

Killie then had a penalty shout of their own turned down when Invincibile's attempted cross hit Barr's arm.

The home side nearly added a second when Flannigan's free-kick found the head of Lilley who diverted the ball into the six-yard box but Invincibile couldn't reach it to stab home.

Gretna's Danny Hall almost scored an own goal when he deflected a wicked cross from Flannigan inches past the post.

Then in 75 minutes Gretna stunned Killie when Skelton's corner found Barr.

The defender headed his effort off the bar but the ball broke back to him and he slammed it home.

Killie boss Jefferies showed his frustration when he appealed for a late free-kick call and was given a warning by the referee for his troubles.

Invincible almost won it at the death when he blasted in an effort from point-blank range but Krysiak did brilliantly to turn it over.

MATCH STATS

SHOTS ON 5

SHOTS OFF 6

OFFSIDE 6

FOULS 13

CORNERS 7

BOOKINGS 0

SHOTS ON 1

SHOTS OFF 4

OFFSIDE 1

FOULS 12

CORNERS 3

BOOKINGS 0

REF WATCH

EUAN NORRIS was enjoying a quiet afternoon with no big calls to make until the second half when it all went wrong for him and he failed to award both sides a penalty for blatant hand balls. Rating: 5/10