Annan 0 - 2 Kilmarnock: Kris Boyd double sends Killie top

Kris Boyd's double fired Kilmarnock to top of the group. Picture: SNS/Craig Williamson

After losing their opener away to Ayr United and then having to come from behind to win at home to Clyde in their second match, the Rugby Park side found things more straightforward amid the incessant downpour as they took the lead early and never looked like relinquishing the three points thereafter.

The victory leaves the Premiership side level on six points with Ayr and Clyde ahead of their final match at home to Dumbarton next weekend. Annan, meanwhile, are out of the qualification shake-up after a second defeat in succession.

Boyd signalled his intent after two minutes when his shot from 25 yards out, which skidded off the sodden playing surface, was scrambled behind by Jim Atkinson.

The Annan goalkeeper had no answer to the veteran striker five minutes later, however, as Boyd clipped in from eight yards out after being set up by a low ball into the danger area from Dom Thomas.

The on-loan Motherwell winger almost created a second goal ten minutes later when his cross was headed over by Jordan Jones.

The same combination threatened again in the 21st minute but Jones saw his shot from Thomas’s cutback charged down.

Owen Moxon went close for Annan when he curled a shot just over from 30 yards out. At the other end, Rory McKenzie was denied by Atkinson five minutes before the break and Boyd slid in to see his effort from the rebound deflected wide.

The former Rangers and Scotland striker made sure of victory for his side on the hour when he slotted home his second after once again being teed up by the impressive Thomas.