Kilmarnock recorded back-to-back victories in the Scottish Premiership for only the second time this season as they downed bottom side Livingston to leave them 12 points adrift at the foot of the table.

Former Manchester United forward Joe Hugill neatly put the hosts - who surprisingly beat league leaders Hearts here at Rugby Park last week - in front by directing in Marley Watkins' cracking cross after a thrilling 25 minutes.

It was nothing less than Neil McCann's side - and particularly the lively Hugill - deserved.

They should have doubled their advantage moments later through Scotland call-up Findlay Curtis, but Livingston goalkeeper Jerome Prior pulled out a smart save.

In a special week for the on-loan Rangers teenager, he did get his goal by rounding off a frantic counter-attack.

It was sweet relief for the hosts who appeared to leave all their confidence in the changing room at half-time as they were severely under pressure until Curtis' strike and only saved by Livingston's profligacy.

Brooklyn Kabongolo misguided a seemingly simple header, Cristian Montano went searching for the far post and substitute Lewis Smith left the post shoogling just minutes before they conceded the sucker-punch second.

With heads well and truly down, and staring at an immediate return to the Scottish Championship, Livi lost defender Kabongolo to a late red card for hauling back Curtis who was tearing down on goal.

Referee Ryan Lee initially issued a yellow card, but upgraded it to a red after he was called to the monitor by the video assistant referee (VAR).

Killie remain in 11th, level on points with St Mirren, following the Buddies' comeback win at Falkirk.

A tale of two halves but the story of Livingston's season.

Smith smacking an upright then Curtis cushioning in on the counter was Livi - and particularly Bartley's Livi - in microcosm.

Four draws in a row didn't quite stop the rot but certainly slowed things down. Defeat here appears to have undone any small glimmer of hope such a run had produced.

Pre-match Bartley was bullish and insisted this "wasn't last-chance saloon". The reaction of his players on the full-time whistle and his demeanour post-match would suggest differently.

If enough alarm bells weren't ringing, his side's performance was not at the level he's become accustomed to since replacing David Martindale in the dugout.

It all felt very final for Livi, who are now 31 games without a win, while it couldn't feel more lively for Killie.

Clearly buoyed by the big win against Hearts, McCann's men had a swagger about them in the first half and should have been further ahead.

Hugill, who looks like a really shrewd signing, had a golden opportunity just seconds in.

It went from flair to fear, though. Killie could not get out in the second half in a night-and-day showing from the first and the nerves were jangling in the home stands.

However, Curtis not only capped his magic week but instilled calmness before joyous celebrations at the full-time whistle.

Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann: "It's fantastic. It's another clean sheet. We did brilliantly. We scored two fantastic goals. It's a very pleasing three points.

"They're playing with a bit of belief. We defended so well as a group. We got our second goal, I didn't think we ever looked in trouble after that."

Livingston manager Marvin Bartley: "We're hurting. In the final third, attacking-wise got into some good situations and the final ball wasn't good enough.

"We just weren't good enough in probably both boxes. Ultimately, the two goals that we concede, especially the second one, our set-up - we become lazy."

Kilmarnock face a trip to Hibernian after the international break on Saturday, 4 April (15:00 GMT) while Livingston are in action a day later as they host league leaders Hearts on Easter Sunday (14:00).