Stuart Kettlewell pleased to see Kilmarnock players rewarded with three points

Kilmarnock boss Stuart Kettlewell insisted his players finally received the rewards all their efforts deserved after winning for the first time this season in the William Hill Premiership.

The Ayrshire side won 2-0 at Dundee United, scoring in the first half through Bruce Anderson and doubling their advantage after the break thanks to a Robbie Deas header.

United had a Zac Sapsford penalty saved late on and Killie headed back to Rugby Park with all three points, to Kettlewell’s delight.

He said: “I thought the players were excellent, they were really, really good.

“The bit I find hard is that I could have sat after the last two games with a similar conversation where we execute so much and so well but we are dealt a couple of hard blows.

“I think we were at a stage where everybody was expecting us to feel sorry for ourselves but we put on a tremendous display. A top performance.

“We got a really good goal from Bruce coming into the team. The second half, I thought we started really well and had so many chances.

“We managed the game well throughout. You are always going to absorb a little bit.

“It was pitched to me that this is as hard a place as you can play at this stage. I would agree.

“For us, to get the two goals and a few other big opportunities and the clean sheet then it is a good day all round for us.”

Kettlewell also singled out the outstanding David Watson for special praise, adding: “He is a breath of fresh air, I keep saying that.

“What epitomises your football club, your players and what you are trying to build the spirit…and it is that double tackle he goes into at the end. I hope people celebrate that.

“That epitomised his performance and the momentum that gathers for your team and the supporters, who were unbelievable for us, it just gives everybody a lift.”

Disappointed United boss Goodwin felt his side’s recent high standards had slipped against Killie.

He said: “I think Kilmarnock deserved it in terms of them taking their chances and us not.

“I think we’ve been getting a lot of plaudits lately for our performances but today I felt we were just that little bit short in terms of the standards that we had set prior to this afternoon’s game.

“If you break the game down, we’ve probably had more possession, I think we’ve had a similar amount of shots to Kilmarnock, we’ve probably had more penalty box entries.

“But the reality is, Bruce Anderson gets one chance in the first half, he takes it really well, and then the second goal is a really poor one from us, it’s a free header at the back post.”