Kilmarnock took a huge step away from becoming embroiled in a relegation battle when they came from behind to take all three points from bottom side Partick.

Thistle took the lead through Stephane Bonnes shortly after the interval but their joy was short-lived when Killie hit back with goals from David Lilley and Kris Boyd in a three-minute spell.

Kilmarnock may have staunchly denied that they feared being dragged into a relegation battle this season but there was no doubting their need to get some points on the board heading into this game.

Their last league win was way back at the start of December and the slump in league form had seen them slip to third bottom in the Bank of Scotland Premier League table and just nine points ahead of Thistle before this clash.

Partick had looked certainties for relegation earlier in the season but a resurgence under the guidance of management team Gerry Britton and Derek Whyte had given them hope they could survive this turbulent campaign with their SPL status still intact after all.

Despite what was potentially at stake for both sides, there was little to shout about in the opening 45 minutes - in fact the appearance of Playboy playmate Luci Victoria to make the half-time draw was one of the few reasons for the fans to get to their feet.

On the park, Killie had the best of the chances. They made a claim for a penalty after 11 minutes when a Rhian Dodds effort came off the arm of Ian Ross shortly before Barry McLaughlin was denied a decent chance at goal by Adrian Madaschi.

Then three minutes before the interval goalkeeper Kenny Arthur produced a superb block to deny Dodds' thunderous shot at goal.

A James Grady shot seemed to be dipping under the crossbar until goalkeeper Francois Dubourdeau managed to claw the effort clear, only for the Thistle fans behind the goal to claim the effort had already crossed the line.

Partick did manage to take the lead after 51 minutes when Britton's initial shot was blocked by the Killie defence only for the ball to break to the feet of Bonnes for him to slot home.

But Killie hit back with two goals in an impressive three-minute spell. The equaliser came when Boyd met Skora's cross on the byline before cutting it back into the path of Lilley for him to fire home after 55 minutes.

Three minutes later, Skora's free-kick picked out Boyd at the back post and all that was required from the Killie striker was to nod home from close range to hand the home side the lead.

Killie could have all but put the game beyond Partick with 15 minutes to go when Skora's curling free-kick fell just wide of the post after Arthur looked beaten by the shot, but they held on for victory anyhow.

Teams

Kilmarnock Dubourdeau, Lilley, Hay, Locke, McLaughlin, Greer, Hardie, Murray (Fowler 89), Dodds (Boyd 45), McSwegan (Dargo 75), Skora.

Subs Not Used: Meldrum, McDonald.

Booked: Greer, Locke.

Goals: Lilley 55, Boyd 58.

Partick Arthur, Billy Gibson, Madaschi, Ian Ross, Murray, Andy Ross, Bonnes (Thomson 69), McBride, Rowson, Britton, Grady (Waddell 82).

Subs Not Used: Langfield, Chariani, Andy Gibson.

Goals: Bonnes 52.

Att: 5,818

Ref: I Brines (Scotland).