Marley Watkins’ late strike gave Kilmarnock a shock 1-0 William Hill Premiership win over rudderless Rangers at the BBSP Stadium, Rugby Park.
League leaders Celtic and Aberdeen drew 2-2 at Parkhead on Saturday to offer the chasing Light Blues some encouragement in the title race, but on their return from the international break Philippe Clement’s side failed miserably in their bid to take advantage.
Despite having plenty of possession, there was a disjointed look to Rangers, whose fans held up protest banners in the second half, one of which called for the “mismanagement” of the club to stop.
The Light Blues improved little after the break and Killie struck in the 87th minute when Watkins broke through to beat goalkeeper Jack Butland and earn his side a first home win of the season, with Rangers dropping six points behind Celtic and Aberdeen.
Rangers have to recover from another blow to start preparing for the Europa League game against Romanian side FCSB at Ibrox on Thursday night, but even this early their title hopes look forlorn and their supporters vented their frustration at the end.
There were fears that Storm Ashley could have an effect on the noon kick-off in Ayrshire, but the sun was out, albeit the artificial surface was soaked.
Killie, whose 3-2 win over Dundee last time out was their first domestic victory of the season, had good early chances.
Gers left-back Jefte’s header back to Butland in the fourth minute was short and allowed captain Kyle Vassell to get in front of Robin Propper to toe poke the ball back to Watkins, whose shot took a touch off the recovering keeper before it was blocked by defender John Souttar.
Then Killie wide man Matty Kennedy somehow missed a cross from left-back Corrie Ndaba right in front of the Rangers goal.
The visitors were struggling to find any rhythm, but in the 18th minute former Rangers keeper Robby McCrorie made a good save from Vaclav Cerny’s long-range drive, a rare attempt on goal.
When Gers skipper James Tavernier was booked for a foul on Brad Lyons, Killie took a short free-kick and defender Robbie Deas headed in from Kennedy’s cross, only to see the offside flag go up, the decision confirmed by VAR.
Vassell then failed to direct a whipped Kennedy cross on target.
The visitors started the second half with the sight of their fans holding up banners reading “the mismanagement of Rangers must stop and stop now”.
On the pitch, in the 52nd minute Dessers’ drive from 30 yards was tipped round a post by McCrorie for a corner, from which the Gers striker hit the bar before Propper put the loose ball behind.
Leon Balogun and Nico Raskins replaced Propper and Barron and Rangers began pressing with more purpose, McCrorie making saves from Tavernier and Souttar, although in the 70th minute on a Killie break Kennedy tested Butland with a decent drive.
There seemed to be cheers from the Rangers fans when Dessers was replaced moments later by Hamza Igamane, while Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Kieran Dowell came on for Cerny and Tom Lawrence, with Tavernier moving to a more advanced role.
Killie had brought on Gary Mackay-Steven and Bruce Anderson for Vassell and Danny Armstrong and the game was in the balance until Watkins pounced, running on to a pass from substitute Watson and brushing past Souttar to send a shot bouncing past Butland.
Igamane missed the far post with an effort in the third of six added minutes, but ultimately Rangers missed the chance to put pressure on the league leaders.
Nuno Espirito Santo acknowledged no one at Nottingham Forest expected to be third in April but backed his team to embrace the challenge after they started a huge week with victory at Tottenham.Forest had slipped to sixth in the Premier League after weekend wins for Champions League qualification rivals Manchester City, Chelsea and Aston Villa, yet responded with aplomb in the capital.Early efforts...
Chris Wood’s 19th goal of the season fired Nottingham Forest back up to third in the Premier League with a 2-1 win at Tottenham.Forest had slipped to sixth after the weekend’s results, but Nuno Espirito Santo savoured a sweet three points against old club Spurs after early goals from Elliot Anderson and Wood in the capital.It brought Ange Postecoglou’s team back down to earth aft...
Leeds boss Daniel Farke saluted his players for holding their nerve after a 6-0 home win against Stoke helped seal promotion back to the Premier League.Joel Piroe scored four goals, including Leeds’ fastest-ever league hat-trick, with strikes in the sixth, eighth and 20th minutes and added his fourth before half-time after Junior Firpo had put Farke’s side 4-0 up in 26 minutes.Willy Gn...
Burnley captain Josh Brownhill sent the Clarets back into the Premier League with both goals in a 2-1 win over Sheffield United that also saw Leeds promoted and left the Blades relying on the play-offs.Scott Parker made it three promotions with three different clubs in the space of six seasons as Burnley extended their unbeaten league run to a club-record 31 games, bouncing straight back to the Pr...
Burnley captain Josh Brownhill joked the Clarets had “bored our way to the Premier League” after a 2-1 win at home to Sheffield United confirmed their return to the top flight at the first attempt.Scott Parker’s side have conceded just 15 goals in 44 matches and victory over their promotion rivals ensured they could not be caught with two matches remaining.“I’m speech...
West Brom have announced the departure of Tony Mowbray after the club’s play-off hopes were all-but ended by a 3-1 Championship defeat at home to relegation-threatened Derby.The visitors twice punished the Baggies from set-piece situations when Ebou Adams and Jerry Yates struck from corners in the first half.Adam Armstrong’s goal halved the deficit and made for a nervy final 20 minutes...
Ian Holloway emphasised his pride in his resurgent Swindon side, despite Will Wright’s own goal against Bromley ending their slim play-off hopes.Danny Imray nutmegged Tom Nichols on the byline and fired a low ball into the box which bounced off the hapless defender’s shin in the 88th minute, condemning the Robins to a 1-0 loss.Kabongo Tshimanga had earlier missed a first-half penalty f...
Grant McCann admitted the task ahead for him is to keep his players calm after Doncaster put themselves within touching distance of promotion with a 3-0 win over Colchester.Goals from Harry Clifton, Jordan Gibson and Patrick Kelly saw Rovers power into top spot in League Two.It means a victory over promotion rivals Bradford this weekend will see them promoted to League One but McCann is determined...
Leeds boss Daniel Farke saluted four-goal Joel Piroe after his side thrashed Stoke 6-0 at Elland Road to stand on the brink of Premier League promotion.Piroe fired Leeds’ fastest-ever league hat-trick with strikes in the sixth, eighth and 20th minutes and added his fourth before half-time after Junior Firpo had put Farke’s side 4-0 up in 26 minutes.Willy Gnonto headed Leeds’ sixt...
Tony Mowbray felt West Brom “lacked a bit of courage on the ball” as their play-off hopes were all-but ended by a 3-1 home defeat to relegation-threatened Derby.The visitors twice punished the Baggies from set-piece situations when Ebou Adams and Jerry Yates struck from corners in the first half.Adam Armstrong’s goal halved the deficit and made for a nervy final 20 minutes until ...
- 1 Jordan Bowery earns Mansfield a point at Rotherham
- 2 Grant McCann to keep Doncaster players calm despite being on brink of promotion
- 3 Four Tottenham stars could leave this summer
- 4 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 5 PL side eyeing summer move for Rashford
- 6 Mentality and spirit unbelievable – Daniel Farke praises promoted Leeds players
- 7 Newcastle continue to impress in absence of Eddie Howe with Crystal Palace rout
- 8 Man City in pole position to secure Morgan Gibbs
- 9 Liverpool interested in signing Mason Greenwood
- 10 Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace dazzles in low-cut top and mini skirt