Kilmarnock 4-3 St Mirren

Kilmarnock 4-3 St Mirren

Tyreece John-Jules lit up Rugby Park under the lights with a sensational hat-trick as Neil McCann’s Kilmarnock claimed a thrilling 4-3 victory over St Mirren to secure three enormous points in the fight to climb out of the Premiership play-off spot. On an electric evening in Ayrshire, Killie showed character, quality and relentless belief to edge a pulsating contest and move to within three points of both Dundee and the Paisley side.

St Mirren made a sharp start and took the lead after eight minutes when Killian Phillips reacted quickest inside the box, but Kilmarnock never wavered. Despite the visitors enjoying spells of possession in the first half, the turning point arrived in a devastating three-minute spell before the break that brought Rugby Park to its feet. Findlay Curtis whipped in a superb cross that split the Saints defence and Greg Kiltie timed his run perfectly to power a header beyond Shamal George for a deserved equaliser. Moments later, the comeback was complete in spectacular style. A loose ball dropped invitingly at the back post and John-Jules met it with an acrobatic volley that flew past George to send Killie into half-time with the advantage and the momentum firmly on their side.

St Mirren emerged after the interval determined to respond and levelled through Phillips following a rebound inside the area, but McCann’s side refused to let their hard work unravel. With 15 minutes remaining, Joe Hugill delivered an inviting ball from the left and John-Jules reacted sharply, finishing at the second attempt to restore Killie’s lead. The striker was not finished there. When a direct ball sent him shoulder to shoulder with Marcus Fraser, John-Jules showed tremendous strength and composure to win the duel before thundering an emphatic finish beyond George to complete a magnificent hat-trick and spark wild celebrations around Rugby Park.

Although Scott Tanser volleyed home deep into stoppage time, it proved no more than a late consolation. This was Kilmarnock’s night, a performance packed with attacking intent, resilience and belief, capped by a clinical display from John-Jules that will live long in the memory. Most importantly, it delivered three vital points and renewed momentum as Killie continue their push to climb clear of danger under the evening lights at Rugby Park.