Findlay Curtis scores for Kilmarnock against Dundee UnitedImage source, SNS
Image caption,

Findlay Curtis bolstered his Scotland credentials in front of national coach Steve Clarke with Kilmarnock's crucial second

At a glance

  • Kilmarnock win to confirm Livingston relegation and move out of play-off spot

  • Deas, Curtis & Hugill with goals

  • Dundee United remain on course to finish seventh

Kilmarnock v Dundee United highlights

02/05/2026

ByAndy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland at Rugby Park

Kilmarnock beat Dundee United to confirm Livingston's relegation from the Scottish Premiership and lift themselves out of the relegation play-off spot.

Robbie Deas gave Killie a first-half lead and goals from Findlay Curtis and Joe Hugill after the break ensured Neil McCann's side took full advantage of St Mirren's defeat at Dundee.

Killie move above St Mirren in the table before their crucial meeting in Paisley next Saturday.

The home side took the lead when Greg Kiltie's inswinging corner was met by Deas, who rose high to turn home a volley from close range.

Dave Richards in the United goal made a string of good saves, including one from a powerful close-range header from Tom Lowery, to keep the visitors in the game.

United did have a number of sights at goal, Zac Sapsford in particular, but were unable to find a leveller.

Killie doubled their lead after the break when a long ball caused panic in the United defence. Curtis picked up the scraps, glided forward and curled a fabulous finish in off the far post.

The game was effectively put to bed when United defender Samuel Cleall-Harding left his passback to Richards woefully short, Hugill nipped in and tucked the ball home for the third goal to ensure Killie banked a priceless three points in their battle to beat the drop.

Analysis: Curtis & Killie deliver against passive United

With their poor away record this season, Killie know their maintaining their good home form is absolutely vital to retaining their Premiership status.

This was their fifth victory in seven games at Rugby Park under Neil McCann and a vital win in the basement battle.

There was an energy and purpose to Kilmarnock and while the final ball or decision in attack let them down at points, they were good value for the win.

Curtis coped admirably in an unfamiliar right-back role in the first half but showed what he can do further up the pitch with a magnificent goal. With Scotland boss Steve Clarke watching on from the stands, it was a good time to produce a moment of quality.

United's 10-year wait for a league win at Rugby Park goes on. Manager Jim Goodwin spoke before the game about his side, despite having little to play for, matching the desire and intensity of a Killie team scrapping for survival.

That largely failed to materialise in the first half as Killie were first to most of the second balls and United were guilty of being sloppy in possession.

They did fashion a number of decent chances with Will Ferry, the Premiership's player of the month for April, looking especially lively early on, but United also had Richards to thank for some good saves at the other end.

Goodwin will be keen to rouse his players for the final few games, starting with a trip to Aberdeen next weekend, and ensure the season does not merely fizzle out.

What they said

Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann: "It's such a brilliant result. It's such a big day for the club that we've managed to get another win at home.

"Findlay Curtis has shown his versatility. He did great against a really, really top player in Will Ferry, who's been scoring goals and creating goals for Dundee United so we knew we had to nullify him. A great finish and a top all-round performance."

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "Of course, we're thoroughly disappointed to lose the game and to lose the goals in the fashion we did is the most disappointing part of it. We concede really soft goals from our perspective. The three goals were really bad."

Figure caption,

'It was a poor performance' - Goodwin

What's next for these clubs?

Kilmarnock visit St Mirren next Saturday (15:00 BST), when Dundee United travel to face Aberdeen at the same time.

Player of the match

Number: 52 F. Curtis
Average rating 7.33
Number: 52 F. Curtis
Average Rating: 7.33
Number: 1 M. Stryjek
Average Rating: 7.07
Number: 36 A. Tshibola
Average Rating: 6.73
Number: 6 R. Deas
Average Rating: 6.71
Number: 11 G. Kiltie
Average Rating: 6.50
Number: 44 J. Hugill
Average Rating: 6.43
Number: 21 M. Schjønning-Larsen
Average Rating: 6.29
Number: 18 T. Lowery
Average Rating: 6.20
Number: 20 N. Cleșcenco
Average Rating: 6.13
Number: 14 G. Stanger
Average Rating: 6.07
Number: 19 B. Anderson
Average Rating: 6.00
Number: 5 L. Mayo
Average Rating: 4.83
Number: 7 R. McKenzie
Average Rating: 4.83
Number: 16 K. Magennis
Average Rating: 4.54
Number: 31 L. Polworth
Average Rating: 4.38
Number: 3 D. Thompson
Average Rating: 4.17

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.