Kilmarnock 5-2 St Mirren: Killie romp to victory after trailing St Mirren

Kilmarnock complete a remarkable turnaround with an incredible burst of five goals in 19 second-half minutes as they beat top six rivals St Mirren to go fourth in the Scottish Premiership.

Kyle Vassell began the fightback on the hour and the hosts were soon in front thanks to a Danny Armstrong penalty and Marley Watkins header.

A brilliant individual goal from David Watson and Vassell’s second sealed the stunning revival.

Killie move two points ahead of St Mirren, who remain fifth.

The first half was about as bad as McInnes could have hoped for – the new shape didn’t work, his side could not get the ball to creator-in-chief Armstrong, and they conceded two unbelievably soft goals, both from corners.

Not that Stephen Robinson would say that. Those goals would be well-worked set-pieces in his eyes.

The first might have been a penalty anyway, had Dunne not booted the leather off the ball as he hammered in from close range for his first goal since 2017. Conor McMenamin, who laid the ball off to Dunne, had been dragged to the floor in the process.

The second was a nice, and legal, bit of blocking that allowed Mandron to peel off Joe Wright and volley home.

One change to the shape was all it took for Kilmarnock to spark the fightback. Watson moved from midfield to right-back, and suddenly it clicked.

Kilmarnock’s first goal came from a simple long ball. Initially cleared, Liam Donnelly headed it back into a dangerous area and Vassell prodded past goalkeeper Zach Hemming at the second time of asking.

The mood noticeably shifted and the hosts took full advantage. Watkins beat Ryan Flynn to a ball in behind and referee Ross Hardie pointed to the spot. Armstrong’s precise penalty nestled into the corner and the score was level only three minutes after Kilmarnock’s first.

Three minutes later, they led. Armstrong clipped in a soft corner and Watkins muscled his header into the top corner from the penalty spot.

The comeback sparked delirium in the stands but Kilmarnock were not done. Watkins’ long ball over the top found Vassell and he took a touch before rifling into the bottom corner.

Watson fancied a bit of the action, too. Picking up the ball 30 yards from goal, he skipped by three St Mirren defenders before tickling the ball past the stranded Hemming to wrap up the scoring.

Player of the match – Marley Watkins (Kilmarnock)

Killie crack conundrum to scythe St Mirren apart – analysis

To call this a game of two halves doesn’t do it justice.

Even the most optimistic Kilmarnock fan might have only hoped for a draw when they were two goals down thanks to uncharacteristically soft first-half defending.

However, the good feeling that McInnes has built up meant just one goal put the wind fully back in the Kilmarnock sails and as soon as they had made that breakthrough, they were irresistibly unstoppable.

The frustration might be – why did McInnes feel the need to change the tactics before kick-off and move to three at the back, in an attempt to match St Mirren up?

Ultimately though, fans cannot complain too much. It led to one of the best comebacks in recent Kilmarnock history, and an amazingly dramatic match for the neutral.

What’s next?

Kilmarnock travel to the capital after the international break to face Hearts on Saturday, 30 March, while St Mirren visit Motherwell on the same day (both 15:00 GMT).