Kilmarnock striker Gary McSwegan celebrated his contract extension with one of the goals in the 2-0 win at high-flying Dunfermline.

The former Scotland international, who signed on until the end of the season with the Ayrshire club on Christmas Eve, grabbed the opener for Killie in the 70th minute.

Kris Boyd continued his impressive scoring form with a strike two minutes from time to secure the points.

But the Rugby Park side were also grateful to McSwegan for blocking a certain Pars' goal in the 66th minute when he cleared a Craig Brewster shot off the line.

It was the first time Dunfermline had beaten at home by anyone outside of the Old Firm since September 2001 - when Killie were the visitors that days as well.

But, before the electric final quarter of the game, the fans had endured a poor first period.

The first real attempt on goal came in the 10th minute when Dunfermline midfielder Jason Dair tried his luck with a 20-yard daisy-cutter but his effort was easily saved by Kilmarnock keeper Gordon Marshall.

It was a close to a goal as the fans would see until the interval.

The small but vociferous band of Killie fans were hoping to see some improvement in their team after the interval.

But the home side looked hungrier, sharper and with more purpose in their play although it was hardly inspiring football from either side.

But, in the 49th minute, the visitors nearly took a shock lead. Andy McLaren and Alan Mahood worked a one-two and when Mahood's cut-back came across the Dunfermline goal, Gary Mason had to clear to safety from almost on the line.

This sparked Kilmarnock into a spell of pressure and at last they began to show the form which has saw them surge up the table in recent weeks.

The lively McLaren was beginning to probe and pass around the Dunfermline box and it was the home side's turn to endure some backs-to-the-wall defending.

But, in the 57th minute, the home side's slick counter-attack involving Chris McGroarty and Barry Nicholson ended with the ex-Rangers player sending his shot from 20 yards high over the bar.

Moments later, Kilmarnock ran up the other end and should have taken the lead.

McLaren's deep cross from the left was headed back across goal by McSwegan and Craig Dargo somehow managed to scoop the ball over the bar from three yards out.

Then, McSwegan cleared a low Brewster shot off the line following a corner before running up the park in the 70th minute and put the visitors ahead.

On a Killie counter-attack, the former Hearts player got himself onto the end of a James Fowler cross from the right to stab the ball into the net from close range.

The home side were stung and tried to battle their way back into the game, pushing Kilmarnock back in their desperate search for the equaliser.

But, two minutes from time, Kilmarnock substitute who had replaced McLaren six minutes earlier, picked up on a Lee Bullen mistake and hammered home a tremendous shot from 15 yards which gave Pars keeper Derek Stillie no chance.

Teams:

Dunfermline Stillie, Skerla, Scott Thomson, Scott Wilson, Bullen, Nicholson, Mason (Dempsey 87), Dair (Hampshire 85), McGroarty (Kilgannon 84), Crawford, Brewster.

Subs Not Used: Ruitenbeek, Walker.

Booked: Scott Wilson.

Kilmarnock Marshall, Shields, Innes, Dillon, Fowler, Dargo (Mitchell 84), Fulton, Mahood, Canero, McSwegan (Hay 87), McLaren (Boyd 84).

Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Sanjuan.

Booked: McLaren, McSwegan.

Goals: McSwegan 70, Boyd 88.

Att: 5,847

Ref: J Underhill (Scotland).