Annan Athletic 0 Kilmarnock 2

Kilmarnock maintained their challenge at the top of the Betfred Cup group with a two-goal victory against Annan who remain rooted to the bottom of the section and still looking for their first victory.

Kilmarnock secured the points thanks to their top striker Kris Boyd, who scored a brace in a match played throughout in a deluge of rain which rarely ceased during the entire match.

If ever there were a case made for plastic pitches, then this was most definitely a strong case in favour.

Both sets of players deserve credit for serving up a very entertaining spectacle for the fans who turned out to brave the weather.

And a special word for the powers that be, who gave permission for the Kilmarnock fans to take up a section of the covered terrace normally allocated for Annan fans to avoid the visitors getting drenched.

Kilmarnock came out of the blocks and took the game to Annan, and their early pressure rewarded them with the perfect platform in the sixth minute.

Veteran striker Boyd was on hand after Chris Burke ended a penetrating run down the right, finishing with a cross from the byline, and Boyd did what he does best to finish with a clinical shot past Jim Atkinson in the Annan goal.

It was not the start that Annan had planned and were prepared for but, to their credit, they regrouped and made a real match of it.

Minutes later, the home team forced a series of corners ending with the impressive Moxon’s effort being blocked by Boyd.

At the other end, Jones’ shot was blocked and Atkinson pulled off a comfortable save from Boyd.

The home keeper was the busiest of the two keepers but Annan’s well-organised defence made it difficult for the visitors to penetrate, and there was no further scoring in a very entertaining first half.

Annan made a promising start to the second half but scoring opportunities were curtailed by the Killie defence.

McDonald was tested by Watson in the 60th minute but, two minutes later, Kilmarnock doubled their lead.

Once again, it was the talisman Boyd who did the damage, finishing with a superb curving shot past the diving Atkinson from 15 yards after some good work by Dominic Thomas out on the right.

The goal gave Kilmarnock the breathing space they required.

However, it did not dampen Annan’s resolve and they continued to play in a controlled manner, shots from Stevenson and Moxon being blocked by Broadfoot who marshalled the Kilmarnock defence.

Up front, Aidan Smith was denied by a superb McDonald save in the 86th minute as the Annan striker looked to open his account and minutes later, Smith fired in another good effort as Annan finished the match on the front foot.

Annan boss Peter Murphy praised his players for the manner in which they stuck to their task despite losing an early goal. The fans appreciated the way in which he has got them playing a controlled passing game.

This competition is all about getting the players ready for the league campaign and Anna are moving in the right direction.

Annan travel to face Dumbarton tomorrow night and they finish their Betfred Cup matches next week at Galabank with the visit of Ayr United.

MATCH STATS

Annan: Atkinson, Brannan (Hooper 70 min), Creaney, Sinnamon, Watson (Krissian 76 min), Swinglehurst, Omar, Moxon, Smith, Stevenson, Orsi. Subs not used: Ferguson, Sonkur, Rutkiewicz, Murphy.

Kilmarnock: McDonald, Taylor, Broadfoot, Burke (Samizadeh 76min), McKenzie, Boyd, Jones (Graham 54 min), Thomas, O’Donnell, Wilson, Frizzell (Power 84 min). Subs not used: Mackay, Higgins, Boyd, Waters.

Referee: Don Robertson

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