Kyle Lafferty quick off the mark as Kilmarnock overtake Inverness in Championship

Kyle Lafferty sent Kilmarnock second in the Championship and set up a top of the table showdown with Arbroath next Friday.

The returning striker restored his goalscoring form that included 13 goals in less than three months in his first spell, adding the matchwinner to take Derek McInnes' side above Inverness in the standings.

It was a goal worthy of winning the game, even after eight minutes, and Lafferty proved pivotal to the home side. “His presence troubles defenders and he's a great focal point for us,” McInnes said of his striker. “The finish was quality. He keeps his eye on it, nice and calm, and puts it away with his left foot and real quality and concentration. I’m so pleased with all their efforts.

“We would like to have more control in these games but it is all about the winning. At 1-0 up we will be better again so we are learning as we are going along. It was 10/10 for effort.”

Sharp and rapid, the opener was incisive football at its clinical best. Daniel Mackay won the ball and zipped by left-back Cameron Harper, evading the near-side assistant as he hit the by-line. A slick low cross was met perfectly by Lafferty for his returning goal and Rugby Park embraced the forward’s return.

"We are a team who look like we are not used to winning at home,” McInnes added. “The fans got behind the team and were a proper home support. I was grateful, because they see the willingness of the team and we had some good moments in that first-half.”

Mackay was amongst many of them and made trouble for his old side, forcing Robbie Deas into a foul, and a caution, after just 67 seconds. His speed seemed the antithesis of Kilmarnock’s pedestrian first half to the season under Tommy Wright which wobbled in the corresponding