On-form attacker Liam Boyce struck twice to secure Ross County’s first home victory of the season with a thoroughly deserved 2-0 win against Kilmarnock.
Boyce picked up from where he left off after netting a hat-trick in last weekend’s Highland derby, scoring a goal in each half to seal the points for Jim McIntyre’s side in a dominant performance against the Ayrshire men.
County made one change from the side that defeated Caley Thistle 3-2 the previous weekend, with departed defender Richard Foster replaced by Jonathan Franks.
Killie’s side included new signings Luke Hendrie and Charlee Adams who were added on Friday, taking manager Lee Clark’s tally of summer signings to 14.
County started brightly with Andrew Davies nodding over from Martin Woods’ early corner, however they survived a scare on 10 minutes when defender Jay McEveley was forced to show sharp reactions to prevent the ball falling to Kris Boyd at point-blank range.
McEveley was close to giving the home side the lead with what would have been his first goal for the club on 14 minutes, when he struck wide with a low trundling effort from the edge of the box after Woods’ free-kick had only been partially cleared.
Clear cut chances evaded both sides in the early stages but County edged ahead on 29 minutes when Boyce released Michael Gardyne down the left, before his cross broke back to Northern Irishman Boyce, who rammed the ball past Jamie MacDonald from eight yards.
County took control of the remainder of the first-half but were unable to find a way through, with Woods’ long-range shot drifting over the bar just before half-time.
The Staggies should have doubled their lead on 54 minutes when Franks’ low delivery was missed by Boyce but ran through for the unmarked Gardyne, however he blasted wide of MacDonald’s right-hand post.
The Highlanders deservedly went 2-0 up on 74 minutes however, when Woods’ pass released substitute Alex Schalk down the left, and he cut the ball back for Boyce, who initially mis-hit his effort before reacting quickly to fire home.
Boyce immediately spurned a glorious chance to secure his second successive hat-trick when he was released down the inside-right channel, but he scooped his effort wide of the near post.
County continued to dominate, with Gardyne thundering a shot wide, while Killie’s first attempt at goal did not arrive until the 84th minute when Souleymane Coulibaly saw his low strike well held by the otherwise untested Scott Fox.
