Profligate Kilmarnock punished by Bristol City

Kilmarnock finalised their preparations for Saturday’s opening SPL game at home to Dundee by losing 3-2 to Derek McInnes’ Bristol City last night.

Stephen Pearson passed up an early chance to open the scoring at Rugby Park when he fired over from 15 yards. New signing Rory Boulding was equally profligate after Liam Kelly’s pass left him one-on-one with Tom Heaton in the City goal. Strangely, he elected not to shoot but teed up teenager Matthew Kennedy instead, only for the winger’s venomous drive to be turned 
behind by the goalkeeper.

Albert Adomah broke the deadlock in the 27th minute, reaching Neil Kilkenny’s through ball and clipping the ball over Cammy Bell as he left his line.

Killie equalised in the 52nd minute when Kennedy controlled a Boulding cross with his chest before firing over Heaton and under the crossbar from the far corner of the six-yard box.

Former Celtic full-back Mark Wilson, listed as a trialist, came on for the final 30 minutes for City and he, ex-St Johnstone captain Jody Morris and Jon Stead worked the ball into space for Martyn Woolford to score from six yards.

Danny Racchi restored parity in style, though, sending a drive from 20 yards behind Heaton. That looked like earning Killie a merited draw but Paul Anderson forced home Jon Stead’s driven cross two minutes from the end.