Kilmarnock celebrateSNS

At a glance

  • Kilmarnock secure top flight status with victory

  • Lowery opener added to by late Hugill double

  • McCann has now overseen six home wins in eight games

Kilmarnock v Dundee highlights

12/05/26

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Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland

Kilmarnock will play Scottish Premiership football next season after a late double from Joe Hugill sealed victory over Dundee and consigned St Mirren to the relegation play-off.

Tom Lowery's second-half strike gave the Ayrshire side the lead, but a splendid strike from Dundee substitute Charlie Reilly levelled.

However, Dundee substitute Charley Oosenbrugh brought down Aaron Tshibola in the box in the 85th minute and Hugill showed nerves of steel to bury the spot kick, then added a stoppage-time third to ensure Neil McCann's side were safe.

When McCann was appointed in January, they were second bottom, winless in 14 matches and looking every inch a side destined for the drop.

But now they have secured their position in the top flight with a game to spare.

They knew a win here would be enough to do that and thought they had taken the lead midway through the first half.

An incisive passing move sliced Dundee open and allowed Findlay Curtis to slot home, but VAR intervened and the goal was ruled out for offside.

Bruce Anderson was denied and Curtis passed up a glorious opportunity, heading over from six yards after being left unmarked.

At that stage, it looked like the play-off battle could head to a final day until Lowery stepped up with a wonderful goal just after the hour mark.

The ball was popped around the edge of the box before dropping into the path of the midfielder, who let fly with a powerful drive that arrowed into the far corner.

The Rugby Park crowd erupted, but were silenced soon after when Reilly conjured an even better goal to equalise, taking one touch and then letting fly with a stunning strike that flew past Max Stryjek.

With St Mirren leading at Pittodrie, it looked like the battle at the bottom would extend until the final Sunday of the campaign, but Hugill had other ideas.

After Oosenbrugh upended Tshibola in the box, the striker was ice cold from the spot, dispatching the penalty to regain the lead.

Then in the dying seconds, Hugill was first to react to a loose ball to nod home into the net and send the Kilmarnock faithful into raptures with their club's top-flight status secured.

Graphic

Analysis: Nerve shredding night at Rugby Park

This was exhilarating and agonising night in equal measure for the Kilmarnock fans, and no doubt for manager McCann.

He said beforehand that he would have jumped at the opportunity to be one win from safety when he was appointed. But, having done so much of the hard work with that terrific weekend win in Paisley, this game threatened to go wrong.

Reilly's fabulous equaliser temporarily sucked the air out of Rugby Park, but it's testament to the character McCann has built in this team that they were able to gather themselves and go again to get the victory they needed.

It's now six wins and a draw from eight league matches since McCann's appointment in January and that home form has ultimately kept them in the division.

As for Dundee, they had already done what they set out to do and secured their top-flight status, but they will know Kilmarnock could still leapfrog them into ninth place should they not take care of their business against Aberdeen.

What they said

McCann on securing Premiership status

Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann: "It feels brilliant. When we came in here it looked pretty bleak. I have to compliment all the staff behind the scenes.

"It's a big night tonight, Saturday was a big afternoon. I just felt we'd do something. It's a special evening knowing we'll be in the Premiership next season."

Dundee head coach Steven Pressley: "I asked for a certain type of performance. I thought we got great intensity, great energy in the team and a really good attitude towards the game against a fully-charged Kilmarnock.

"At 1-1 we hoped we could go on and win the game, but credit to Kilmarnock. There was a lot to take from the game."

What next for these teams?

Kilmarnock travel to bottom side Livingston - whose relegation from the Premiership has already been confirmed - on Sunday, while Dundee will complete their league campaign at home to Aberdeen on the same day (both 15:00 BST).

Player of the match

F. Curtis
8.59
52 F. Curtis
8.59
44 J. Hugill
8.38
18 T. Lowery
8.17
1 M. Stryjek
8.05
36 A. Tshibola
7.90
11 G. Kiltie
7.68
21 M. Schjønning-Larsen
7.67
19 B. Anderson
7.65
3 D. Thompson
7.62
6 R. Deas
7.58
14 G. Stanger
7.58
5 L. Mayo
7.25
12 D. Watson
7.20
7 R. McKenzie
7.00
23 M. Watkins
6.20
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