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Scottish Round-Up: Killie win at Motherwell, stalemate at Hamilton

Kiltie celebrates putting Kilmarnock into the lead
Image: Kiltie celebrates putting Kilmarnock into the lead

Kilmarnock have given their Ladbrokes Premiership survival hopes a major boost with a 2-0 success at Motherwell.

But Dundee United remain marooned at the bottom of the table and are 12 points adrift after they could only manage a 0-0 draw at Hamilton.

However, it could have been even worse for the Arabs, who only escaped with a point because Eiji Kawashima kept out a late Ali Crawford penalty.

Killie began the day in the relegation play-off place but have now climbed above Motherwell, second-half goals from Greg Kiltie and Craig Slater earning them the three points.

The Ayrshire side were worthy winners at Fir Park for caretaker boss Lee McCulloch and had the better first-half chances, almost taking the lead in the ninth minute when Kiltie's shot took a deflection and spun just wide of the post.

And Motherwell goalkeeper Connor Ripley then made two good saves in quick succession.

First, he pulled off a great stop to deny Tope Obadeyi, who did really well to cut inside and make room for a fine effort.

Slater doubled the Kilmarnock advantage
Image: Slater doubled the Kilmarnock advantage

Craig Slater then tried his luck with a free-kick from 20 yards out which Ripley did well to tip over the crossbar.

And Ripley was tested from another set-piece later in the half, foiling Steven Smith on this occasion.

It was still 0-0 at the interval and Motherwell were initially much-improved for the half-time introduction of top scorer Louis Moult, who had their first shot on target within 60 seconds of coming on before Stephen McManus headed just over.

But Killie got the breakthrough 11 minutes into the second-half as Kiltie slid in at the back post to convert a delightful cross from Smith.

And Kiltie then laid the ball off to Slater, who advanced from halfway as the defence backed off, before finding the bottom corner with a precise shot.

Motherwell roused themselves and Marvin Johnson fired a shot into the side-netting.

But Killie were soon creating chances again and Josh Magennis shot wide, before a Slater effort was kept out by Ripley.

The hosts almost grabbed a late consolation goal but Moult's header came back off the junction of bar and post in stoppage time.

There were not so many goalscoring chances at New Douglas Park, although the match burst into life in the closing stages.

Hamilton probably shaded the first period but a long-range effort from Crawford which went over the top was the closest they came to scoring.

Dundee Utd manager Mixu Paatelainen and sub Luis Zwick (right) cut dejected figures after the 0-0 draw at Hamilton
Image: Dundee Utd manager Mixu Paatelainen and sub Luis Zwick (right) cut dejected figures after the 0-0 draw at Hamilton

The visitors came into the game as the half wore on, and Simon Murray unleashed a decent effort which Michael McGovern turned round the post.

The second-half was a lot more lively and Dundee United had their penalty appeals waved away when Coll Donaldson went down in the box as Lucas Tagliapietra challenged, before Gavin Gunning squandered a great chance to put the visitors into the lead, blazing a volley off-target at the back post.

As for the hosts, they had the ball in the net after 58 minutes, but Gramoz Kurtaj had already been flagged offside as he latched on to Dougie Imrie's ball.

The Accies won a penalty with five minutes left when Dougie Imrie was fouled by Paul Paton but Crawford put his kick straight down the middle and Kawashima saved with his legs.

And the visitors then pressed for a winner but the hosts managed to desperately clear after a pair of late goalmouth scrambles.

Hamilton finished the match with 10 men, Michael Devlin dismissed in stoppage time when he received a second yellow card.

But Dundee United did not have time to capitalise and now face a crucial match at home to second-bottom Motherwell on Tuesday.

Devlin was dismissed after receiving a second yellow in the closing stages
Image: Devlin was dismissed after receiving a second yellow in the closing stages

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