February 28 2024 Matchzone: Rangers (H)
Kilmarnock fell to defeat against Rangers despite taking an early lead.
Danny Armstrong fired the Ayrshire side ahead after just 11 minutes and sent the hosts into the break with a one goal advantage.
However five minutes of madness saw James Tavernier and Tom Lawrence goals secure three points for the Glasgow side.
The visitors had a great chance after five minutes when Ross McCausland worked into the box from the wing before teeing up Fabio Silva, the striker’s subsequent shot was blocked and went out for a corner.
From said set-piece, Connor Goldson powered a header towards goal, but Will Dennis saved superbly to keep the score level.
Liam Donnelly thought he’d fired the Ayrshire side in front with a bullet header from a Liam Polworth cross, but it fell narrowly wide.
After 11 minutes Killie were awarded a penalty as John Lundstram handled the ball in the area, David Dickinson had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Armstrong calmly fired low down the middle as a helpless Jack Butland dived to his right.
Oscar Cortes almost snuck a long-range effort in after 18 minutes, but Dennis did well to tip it round the post for a corner.
Polworth almost pulled off the spectacular as he burst through on goal being the only player in the attacking half, but Butland was quick enough off his line to clear the danger, there appeared to be a pull on the midfielder from Mohamed Diomande but whistler Dickinson was having none of it.
Matty Kennedy went incredibly close to doubling Killie’s lead instantly after half-time as he fired a snap shot away, but Butland did well to get down low for a great save.
Just before the hour mark the game was flipped on its head in a four minute spell.
Gers Captain Tavernier fired his side level with a free-kick from distance in the 55th minute, and then Lawrence curled an effort into the corner four minute later.
Cyriel Dessers was inches from doubling Rangers’ lead, he ran to the near post from a corner and glanced an effort towards the danger zone, but thankfully for Killie it smacked the crossbar.
Kennedy tried his luck from the edge of the box in the 68th minute with a powerful shot on target, but Butland gratefully clutched it into his chest.
Diomande looked to curl a shot home in the 79th minute but it went wide of the target.
Killie were then screaming for a penalty at the other end when Liam Donnelly was challenged inside the area, but Dickinson waved play on and was having none of it.
Score: Kilmarnock 1-2 Rangers
Team: Dennis, Mayo, Wright, Findlay, Ndaba, Armstrong (McKenzie 83), Polworth (Balagizi 83), Donnelly (Watson 83), Kennedy, Watkins (Stewart 75), Vassell (Van Veen 75)
