A first-half goal from Paul Wright was enough to secure all three points for Kilmarnock in the relegation battle with Aberdeen at Rugby Park.

In a game which had few goalmouth incidents, the only bright spot was Wright's 24th minute tap-in, finishing off a great move involving Gary Holt and Andy Smith.

The win was a great psychological boost for Kilmarnock who leap-frogged Dundee into eighth place.

Aberdeen struggled badly and will hope Falkirk can grab one of the top three places in the First Division, thus allowing the Dons to avoid play-offs.

Kilmarnock started the game very sharply and it took only two minutes before the first attempt on goal.

Christophe Cocard tried his luck with a 20-yard volley which dipped over the bar.

The early stages were even in terms of possession, with the pace frantic and tackles flying in all over.

Ian Durrant was pulling the strings for the home side in the middle of the park.

The crowd had to wait until the 21st minute to see another shot on goal and it was Cocard again with an effort from 30 yards but the Frenchman's effort was well wide of the target.

But three minutes later the home side took the lead. Smith sent Holt clear on the right with a great pass which split the Dons' defence.

And when Holt cut the ball back Wright had the easiest of tasks to tap in from two yards. Two minutes later with Kilmarnock pressing for another, Cocard was unlucky not to latch onto a Durrant pass with the Dons defence caught square.

On 28 minutes Sean Hessey tried to curl a 20-yard shot past Jim Leighton and was unlucky to see the ball miss the target by inches.

But still goalmouth episodes were few and far between and both keepers remained spectators for much of the proceedings.

It was Kilmarnock who started the second half the brighter and within two minutes Holt had cleverly worked his way into the Aberdeen box.

But to the visitors' relief the midfielder's shot curled just past Leighton's right-hand post.

Cocard was starting to run the show for the home side and his skills on the ball were delighting the home crowd.

All too often the Frenchman's team-mates were not on his wavelength and good opportunities were squandered.

Aberdeen's first attempt on goal did not come until the hour mark, but Cato Guntveit's 20-yard shot was weak and went wide of Marshall's left-hand post.

Kilmarnock's next chance came in the 73rd minute when Durrant sent Holt racing through the heart of the Dons defence, but Leighton was quick off his line to smother the ball.

Five minutes later at the other end Marshall had to race off his line to beat Arild Stavrum to a through ball.

Aberdeen began a late push for the equaliser, but the Killie defence held on for the welcome three points.

Kilmarnock: Marshall, MacPherson, Lauchlan, Dindeleux, Hessey, Cocard, Holt, Durrant, Reilly, Smith (Abou 64), Wright (Mitchell 77).

Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Mahood, Canero.

Booked: Durrant.

Goals: Wright 24.

Aberdeen: Leighton, Lilley, Whyte, Anderson, McAllister, Dow (D. Young 77), Bernard (Winters 72), Mayer (Belabed 60), Guntveit, Jess, Stavrum.

Subs Not Used: Preece, Perry.

Booked: Jess.

Att: 11,525

Ref: Hugh Dallas (Scotland).