Resilient Kilmarnock bounce back after humiliation

Kris Boyd opened the scoring after three minutes at Rugby Park. Picture: SNS

Kilmarnock’s draw against Dundee United went some way to restoring some pride following last week’s capitulation against Partick Thistle.

The Ladbrokes Premiership clash at Rugby Park was one of just a handful of games to survive on Saturday after most of the Scottish fixture card was wiped out by severe weather conditions.

Manager Gary Locke questioned after the 1-1 draw whether the match should have gone ahead due to such strong winds, but Magennis welcomed the opportunity to atone quickly for the 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Thistle. The forward said: “It was important we came back after the disgrace of losing 5-2 and getting beaten so convincingly.

“I think we did that and showed good work ethic. When we were on top, they didn’t know how to handle us.”

Kris Boyd – making his first start since the end of August – had the ball in the net after just three minutes, stabbing home from Magennis’ cross.

United restored parity when Billy McKay sent goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald the wrong way from the penalty spot after Stuart Findlay saw red after 23 minutes.

Magennis added: “The sending off didn’t help but that is what happens in football. After the red card, they created more chances because they had the extra man but I still felt we did well. It was just about having that extra resilience, which we showed, and a point apiece was probably fair enough.

“It was good to set Kris up with the goal. Boydy needs constant service – that is how he scores his goals and it was up to the wide men to give him that. Fortunately enough for me, the goal came from one of my crosses.”

Having played so much of the game against ten men, United manager Mixu Paatelainen admitted it was a missed opportunity for his rock-bottom side.

He said: “Of course, when you compare it to three points, it is a couple of points dropped. But one point is better than nothing.

“When you look at last week’s game against Hamilton, we dominated and created chances and took nothing from the game. We had chances again this time but so did they.

“We would be worried if we didn’t create chances. It is a pity we are not taking them but our overall game going forward creates those chances so we just have to try to take them in future.”