Saturday 4 April 2015 18:42, UK
David Syme scored on his Kilmarnock debut but his first appearance at Rugby Park ended in defeat as Motherwell came from behind to win 2-1.
Teenager Syme netted the opening goal before the visitors hit back to take a deserved three points thanks to efforts from Stephen Pearson and Lee Erwin.
However, for the opening half-an-hour, it was the hosts who dominated proceedings with Lee Ashcroft firing narrowly wide in the seventh minute, while Josh Magennis had an effort saved shortly afterwards.
Killie were duly rewarded in the 17th minute when 17-year-old Syme headed home at the far post after George Long was unable to deal with Paul Cairney’s free-kick.
The goal certainly ignited the lowly visitors who came close to an equaliser midway through the first half when Erwin flashed a shot wide from 12 yards.
Lionel Ainsworth also caused problems with a low strike which Craig Samson failed to tame but there was no one in position to latch on to the rebound.
Stephen McManus had the ball in the net, heading in Conor Grant's corner only for referee Euan Anderson to rule it out after spotting a push on Ashcroft.
Yet Motherwell were level seven minutes before the break when Ainsworth's low strike was diverted past Samson by Pearson from eight yards.
As the match moved towards half-time, Scott McDonald and Keith Lasley had other efforts for ‘Well, while an Ashcroft header from Chris Johnston's free-kick was narrowly too high for Kilmarnock.
A rejuvenated Motherwell continued to press early in the second half, and they came mighty close to taking the lead in the 57th minute when McDonald’s firm strike was tipped against the bar by Samson.
A few minutes later they came close again as Erwin curled an effort inches wide of the right post, while Ainsworth forced a save out of Samson.
The second Motherwell goal finally arrived in the 77th minute when McDonald fed Erwin who jinked his way into the box before clipping the ball beyond Samson.
Although the hosts tried to salvage a point, it was Erwin who came closest to scoring a third Motherwell goal as he fired narrowly wide.
The result means Kilmarnock have now won just two of their last 12 matches since New Year’s Day and, despite the win, Motherwell remain second from bottom and still facing a two-legged play-off to stay in the top flight of Scottish football.
