Kilmarnock's recent good run continued after a hard-fought and deserved 1-0 triumph away to third-placed Livingston.

The winning goal came after 35 minutes when Oscar Rubio deflected a Peter Canero drive into his own net.

And, although the home side had the better of the second-half, they could not find the equaliser.

But the defeat was only Livi's second home Premier League reversal of the season as the Ayrshire club closed the gap on both their hosts and Aberdeen in the chase for a European place.

Kilmarnock made an encouraging start at Almondvale with Stephen Murray winning a free-kick in a dangerous position on the left of the box.

The 18-year-old took the kick himself but Marvin Andrews headed clear.

Again, Killie showed promise when right-back Peter Canero made a good run to get to the by-line.

His dangerous cross was punched weakly by Nick Culkin and only a great defensive intervention by Phillipe Brinquin prevented dangerman Murray finishing from 12 yards out.

Murray, who scored at Dundee last week, was looking lively and he sent over a teasing cross from the left which Livingston captain Rubio did well to head clear despite the attentions of Paul Di Giacomo.

Barry Wilson attempted a low drive from 25 yards which went tamely wide in what was a subdued opening from Jim Leishman's side.

Livingston conjured up an opportunity just before the half-hour when Nathan Lowndes had a header saved by Gordon Marshall after a Wilson cross.

Kilmarnock had been threatening throughout the entire first half and it was no surprise when they went in front 10 minutes before the break.

Di Giacomo was the architect with a driving run down the left which the West Lothian side's defence could not handle.

The young forward fired a cross over from the by-line which went all the way through to Canero at the other side of the box and his low drive was deflected into his own net by the unfortunate Rubio.

Livingston's flat performance was perhaps a reaction to the injury time goal which denied them at Celtic on Boxing Day and they made an early change with Massimiliano Caputo replacing Nathan Lowndes after 36 minutes.

Caputo went close within a few minutes of taking the field when he shot narrowly wide.

Livingston made their second substitution with Carlos Aurellio replacing Francisco Quino at the break.

Aurellio almost made an instant impact doing well to get to the by-line before crossing but Marshall smothered before Caputo could finish.

In their search for an equaliser, Livi won two free-kicks with, firstly, Andrews towering above the Killie defence to head into the keeper's arms and then Caputo had a 20-yard effort easily saved by the experienced Kilmarnock keeper.

But Kilmarnock nearly sealed the points before Culkin saved - diving to parry Boyd's shot.

The keeper then recovered quickly to grab the ball before Di Giacomo could pounce on the rebound.

The crossbar denied Livingston the equaliser after Caputo struck the woodwork from only three yards out after latching onto David Bingham's header after another corner from Wilson.

Livingston were pushing forward more all the time and Wilson sent in a good cross only for Bingham to shoot wide on the half-volley.

Again the home side went desperately close to the elusive equaliser after Canadian Davide Xausa battled his way past three defenders before rifling a shot inches past Marshall's left post from 20 yards.

The Kilmarnock goal survived a penalty box scramble in the 83rd minute following a free-kick conceded by James Fowler, who received the game's first booking as a result.

A minute later the Ayrshire men nearly sealed the points but Culkin just managed to clear before Boyd could beat him to the ball outside his penalty area.

Freddie Dindeleux produced a great defensive clearance after beating Xausa at the back post to a fine cross from Aurellio with three minutes left and in the dying seconds Andrews also went close.

Teams

Livingston: Culkin, Brinquin, Rubio, Andrews, Santini (Hart 60), Quino (Aurellio 45), Tosh, Bingham, Wilson, Xausa, Lowndes (Caputo 36).

Subs Not Used: McEwan, Makel.

Kilmarnock: Marshall, Fowler, Dindeleux, Innes, Hay, Canero, Mahood, Mitchell, Murray (Jaconelli 80), Di Giacomo, Boyd.

Subs Not Used: Samson, Sanjuan, Calderon, McDonald.

Booked: Fowler.

Goals: Rubio 35 og.

Att: 5,214

Ref: W Young (Scotland).