Kilmarnock earned their first points of the league season as substitute Nicky Clescenco scored late to secure a dramatic 3-2 derby victory against Ayr United at Rugby Park.
Neil McCann's side trailed twice in the first Ayrshire derby in over four years before netting two goals inside the final 11 minutes to complete the comeback.
The win brings immense relief for Kilmarnock after a dismal start to their league campaign, having lost their opening two matches while conceding nine goals.
Ayr United manager Gary Naysmith, a former Hearts teammate of McCann, saw his team defend resiliently for long spells before slipping up late in the match.
Early Turnover and First Half Equaliser
In front of a vibrant Rugby Park crowd, Kilmarnock suffered a nightmare start by falling behind inside five minutes.
Right-back Jamie Brandon needlessly turned the ball over, allowing Scott McMann to whip a cross into the penalty box. Owen Stirton slipped past his marker and volleyed past Kilmarnock goalkeeper Max Stryjek, who got a hand to the ball but could not keep it out.
Ayr almost doubled their lead shortly after when McMann struck just wide on a counter-attack. Kilmarnock controlled possession but struggled with patience and invention, as Joe Hugill miscued an effort from a Tom Lowery cross while Killie were second best to most loose balls.
McCann took decisive action in the 39th minute by withdrawing Brandon for Nicky Clescenco. The tactical change paid off within three minutes when Kilmarnock found space in the box, and Tyreece John-Jules set up Hugill to slot a low finish into the bottom corner for the equaliser.
Second Half Missteps and Late Winner
Kilmarnock started the second period sluggishly, losing focus inside two minutes of the restart. From a Kilmarnock throw-in, Clescenco delivered an aimless header that put Ayr forward Ross Taylor through on goal.
Taylor took one touch to steady himself before drilling a low shot from the edge of the box past Stryjek to restore Ayr's lead.
Kilmarnock pushed for a second equaliser as Robbie Deas had a header deflected just wide, and Ayr goalkeeper Harry Stone caught a header from John-Jules. Stone also tipped away a long-range shot from Lowery before substitute Mark O'Hara sent a header off target.
Ayr held their lead until the 79th minute, when Kilmarnock defender Michael Schjonning-Larsen picked up the ball 40 yards out and advanced unhindered before blasting a right-foot strike from the edge of the box into the net.
With one minute of normal time remaining, Stone misjudged a routine cross and spilled the ball inside a crowded penalty box. Clescenco reacted fastest, chipping a high finish into the net in the 89th minute to seal the victory for Kilmarnock.
Ayrshire Derby Rivalry and Season Context
Kilmarnock and Ayr United share a long-standing regional rivalry in Scottish football known as the Ayrshire derby. Kilmarnock, founded in 1869, play their home matches at Rugby Park in Kilmarnock, while Ayr United are based nearby at Somerset Park in Ayr.
Prior to Friday's encounter, Kilmarnock had endured a difficult opening to the season, conceding four goals away from home on opening day followed by a heavy defeat against Celtic after employing an open tactical setup.
The dramatic victory over their local rivals hands McCann his first league points of the campaign as Kilmarnock look to kickstart their season.
