Kilmarnock promoted to Scottish Premiership as Arbroath fairytale shattered by Blair Alston strike

Blair Alston struck a sensational 89th minute winner to spark a title party as Kilmarnock secured their top flight return on a night of huge drama in Ayrshire.

Just as it had looked like the Arbroath fairytale was about to enter the final chapter with Dick Campbell firmly in charge of penning the ending, Ash Taylor and Alston struck in the closing 12 minutes to rewrite the script for what seems like the 100th time of a thrilling campaign.

Alston slid home as the clock ticked towards injury time and with the title looking set to go down to the wire next Friday night.

But his cool finish from 18 yards sparked absolute bedlam in the home sections of the electric Rugby Park.

Thousands of KiIlie fans spilled onto the pitch to celebrate the most dramatic of endings meaning the trophy presentation was put on hold.

But that couldn’t dampen the delight of Derek McInnes and his side after they overturned Arbroath’s early advantage to secure their place back in the top flight.

It was harsh on Campbell’s Angus side who had led for 78 minutes after James Craigen’s scuffed opener.

Typically they ran themselves into the ground, snapped into tackles like there was no tomorrow, won a multitude of aerial duels and when the opportunity dropped they took it.

Deservedly they know the second bite of the cherry at gaining the most remarkable of promotions still lies in wait through the play-offs.

But for now the celebrations belong to Killie and McInnes who has overseen a dramatic turn in fortunes, taking 30 points from his 16 league games in charge to return to the Premiership.