A dominant performance saw Kilmarnock triumph 3-0 away against St Mirren, easing their relegation fears in the Scottish Premiership. Findlay Curtis scored twice, while an own goal from St Mirren’s Miguel Freckleton helped Neil McCann’s side clinch their first away win since September.
This second consecutive 3-0 victory moves Kilmarnock four points clear of their hosts with only two matches remaining. In contrast, St Mirren, interim managed by Craig McLeish, suffered their third defeat since the league split without scoring a goal, leaving them likely to finish in the relegation play-off position.
The visitors took the lead in the ninth minute when Tom Lowery’s cross from the left was inadvertently turned into his own net by Freckleton, with teammate Conor McMenamin unable to clear. Freckleton sustained an injury during the incident and had to leave the pitch.
Despite early struggles, St Mirren’s Roland Idowu was booked for a reckless challenge on Nicky Clescenco. Idowu nearly made amends with a mis-hit cross that forced Kilmarnock goalkeeper Max Stryjek to stretch and grab before it drifted into the net. At the other end, Killian Phillips intervened to deny Joe Hugill’s cross from finding Curtis.
Mark O’Hara came close late in the first half with St Mirren’s first real chance, but his effort went straight at the goalkeeper.
Just 28 seconds into the second half, Kilmarnock doubled their lead. Curtis ran clear and finished well past Ross Sinclair. St Mirren pushed back, but neither Jake Young nor Phillips could direct efforts on target from close range.
The visitors pressed for a third, with David Watson’s header falling to the goalkeeper. Hugill later sprinted clear, only for a great saving block from Freckleton to prevent a goal, before Curtis failed to convert at the far post from Watson’s cross.
However, Curtis made amends in the 68th minute, rounding off the scoring with his second goal of the match.
Kilmarnock made one change from their win over Dundee United, bringing in Dominic Thompson at left-back. St Mirren made three changes after their loss to Dundee, introducing Marcus Fraser, Liam Donnelly, and Conor McMenamin.
Kilmarnock’s Findlay Curtis celebrates scoring to make it 3-0 against St Mirren.
