A potential January six-pointer turned in to a six goal embarrassment as lacklustre Killie were put to the sword against a Dundee United team who played their best football of the season so far. After scoring four in the first half, United eventually ran out 5-1 winners at Tannadice Stadium.
Killie had been improving how they have started games in recent weeks but were back at their old habits at the start of this one as the home side went ahead after just eight minutes. United striker Simon Murray teeing up youngster Blair Spittal who made no mistake, drilling the ball past a helpless MacDonald into the bottom corner. Minutes before, Josh Magennis missed a sitter of a chance from only 7 yards out, firing straight at the United keeper. Killie just could not get a foothold in the game, with the away side last to every ball. They were eventually punished for their lack of quality, as Dundee United scored three goals in the thirteen minutes before half time.
Just after the half hour mark, United defender Durnan was left unmarked at a corner to head home, with MacDonald only able to watch the ball fly in. Seven minutes later United were three in front as the Killie defence backed off Spittal and his attempted delivery into the box somehow managed to find its way in at the back post. The home side were not finished yet however as the ball fell kindly to veteran midfielder John Rankin at the back post who volleyed the ball into the net.
After the break, the match was not played with the same intensity as the previous half and chances were few and far between. United eventually scored their fifth and final goal twelve minutes from time when Sean Dillon evaded several challenges and poked the ball beyond MacDonald. Killie scored a consolation goal eight minutes from time when Josh Magennis headed past Kawashima from a corner.
This proved to be all too late for the Ayrshire side as United closed the gap between the two clubs to eleven points.
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