A Kris Boyd double allowed Kilmarnock to inflict a 2-0 defeat on Motherwell for the second time in seven days.

The striker pounced in the first minute before grabbing a second in the penultimate one of the first period to put Kilmarnock in the driving seat.

But Motherwell squandered too many opportunities in front of goal to deserve anything from Rugby Park as the home side moved to within a point of the top six in the table.

Revenge for the Tennent's Scottish Cup defeat last weekend might have been on the mind of Well boss Terry Butcher but his plans were left in tatters after just 57 seconds as Killie surged into the lead.

Gary McDonald's cross found Colin Nish on the edge of the six-yard box and he nodded into the path of Boyd, who stroked home from a few yards.

Within seconds though Motherwell were almost back on level terms when Kilmarnock goalkeeper Alan Combe spilled the ball, which fell kindly to the feet of David Clarkson but his shot cannoned off the body of Simon Ford.

Ford had a big part to play in the first half but almost grabbed the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Scott McDonald burst into the box and should have had a shot at goal but opted to square to Clarkson instead.

That allowed Ford to intercept and clear the danger, but he almost handed the Motherwell forwards a lesson in finishing when he came within inches of sticking the ball in the back of his own net.

With half-time approaching, Steven Naismith had a great opportunity to haul Kilmarnock level.

Nish played the ball into his path and all Naismith had to do was beat goalkeeper Gordon Marshall but fell over the ball instead.

It may have been a comedy moment but Motherwell were not laughing when Naismith set up Boyd for his second of the day in the 44th minute.

He threaded the ball through to the striker who turned Stephen Craigan before firing home.

Motherwell still looked determined to take something from the game and Freddie Dindeleux played a supporting role when he completely misjudged a ball in the middle of the park, gifting possession to McDonald.

The Australian raced past David Lilley into the box before trying to place the ball in the bottom left-hand corner only to see the effort creep past the post instead.

Only the heroics of Gordon Marshall prevented Kilmarnock from clocking up number three when the Motherwell goalkeeper managed to tip Danny Invincibile's point-blank shot over the crossbar.

However, Motherwell seemed intent on squandering every opportunity which came their way.

McDonald set up Clarkson who successfully took the ball past the Killie keeper, but was less successful in finding the back of the net.

As the game raced towards the final 10 minutes, Nish had the chance to kill off any hope Motherwell had of a comeback, but completely fluffed his shot on the six-yard line and the danger was cleared.

They were given a chance to put their hosts under pressure when Gary Locke hauled down Clarkson on the edge of the box and Kevin McBride stepped up for the free-kick but he curled the effort just over the crossbar.

Teams:

Kilmarnock: Combe, Hay, Lilley, Dindeleux, McDonald, Boyd, Invincibile, Nish, Ford, Leven (Locke 49), Naismith (Johnston 86).

Subs Not Used: Smith, Fowler, Wales, Murray, Dodds.

Booked: Boyd, Locke.

Goals: Boyd 1, 44.

Motherwell: Marshall, Corrigan, Hammell, Craigan, Scott McDonald, Leitch (Fagan 79), Foran (Fitzpatrick 59), Clarkson (Wright 85), Partridge, McBride, Paul Quinn.

Subs Not Used: Corr, Kinniburgh, Higgins, Smith.

Booked: McBride.

Att: 5,225

Ref: C Murray (Scotland).