Kilmarnock come from behind to beat Motherwell and secure first win of season

Ash Taylor sealed Kilmarnock’s first win since their cinch Premiership return as the Ayrshire side turned round their meeting with Motherwell in the space of six minutes.

Kevin van Veen put the visitors ahead in the 14th minute with his well-taken fourth goal in five matches and Killie looked like they might pay the price for missing a series of chances.

Debutant Ben Chrisene hit the bar and strikers Kyle Lafferty and Oli Shaw squandered good opportunities before Danny Armstrong levelled from close range in the 71st minute.

Taylor then headed home his second goal of the campaign to secure a 2-1 victory.

The start was slightly delayed as stewards tried to deal with two flares that were thrown on the pitch from the Motherwell end but both teams came firing out the traps.

Van Veen had a shot saved at the second attempt by Sam Walker in the second minute after a brilliant take from Ricki Lamie’s diagonal ball, and Paul McGinn soon produced a last-ditch challenge at the other end.

The lively start continued. Dean Cornelius came close with a volley for Motherwell before Lafferty’s free-kick landed on the roof of the net.

The breakthrough came after a defence-splitting pass by Blair Spittal. Van Veen held off Lewis Mayo and flicked the ball past Walker and into the corner of the net.

Motherwell were playing some bright passing football but the hosts finished the half strongly. Lafferty twice shot over from good chances, the second time after on-loan Aston Villa left-back Chrisene hit the underside of the bar with McGinn caught playing for offside.

Shaw then had a volley diverted just wide as Motherwell defended desperately following a long throw and Chrisene shot over from another decent chance in stoppage-time.

Killie winger