Kris Boyd capped a magnificent all-round display with two goals against Aberdeen at Rugby Park to ease the pressure on under-fire Kilmarnock boss Jim Jefferies.

The young striker led the line superbly all afternoon and grabbed two poacher's goals to wipe away memories of last week's dismal performance at Dundee United.

The 20-year-old from Irvine crashed home a bullet header on 28 and was gifted his second 14 minutes from time by Aberdeen goalkeeper David Preece to move the Ayrshire side three points clear of the Dons.

Craig Dargo gave Killie the perfect start when he poked home from close range after just 58 seconds only for Bryan Prunty to equalise in the 23rd minute with his first goal for the Pittodrie outfit.

The home side were galvanised by Eric Skora's astute promptings in midfield and a much-improved defensive display.

But the tension at Rugby Park after last week's 4-1 drubbing at Tannadice was eased when Dargo, only starting because of an injury to Danny Invincible, was handed the chance of a goal on his return by Aberdeen midfielder Steve Tosh.

Tosh, in his first game back after injury, attempted to head the ball back to his keeper in the first minute but his effort fell short and Dargo poked the ball past David Preece.

Then, straight from the kick-off, Boyd's run into the penalty box was halted when he appeared to be tripped by Phil McGuire, only for referee John Underhill to wave away the home side's protests.

However, Killie were dealt a blow when captain Gary Locke was forced off with a hamstring strain, with Rhian Dodds replacing him after 16 minutes.

The Dons began to get a foothold on the game after Locke's departure and Paul Sheerin was set up for another half-chance by Tosh's clever lay-off.

His header lacked power though and was easily saved by Colin Meldrum.

The visitors' pressure was, however, rewarded when former Celtic reserve Prunty netted his first goal for the club from close range after 23 minutes.

Tosh was left all alone at the far post and his clever header across goal was bundled home at the second attempt by the striker.

The home crowd were becoming increasingly restless at their side's inability to capitalise on their perfect start with groans accompanying every slack pass.

But just when the players were getting anxious, Boyd eased their nerves when he thumped home a fine header from on-loan midfielder Eric Skora's beautiful left-wing corner after in the 28th minute.

It took until the ninth minute of the second period for either team to threaten, Boyd just failing to get his toe to a through ball.

That seemed to settle the Ayrshire side and McGuire had to be alert to shepherd the ball from raiding full-back Garry Hay.

With no sign of an equaliser Dons boss Paterson brought on youth product Fergus Tiernan for the tiring Tosh on 62 minutes.

Jefferies followed suit soon after, Dargo being replaced by much-travelled front man Gary McSwegan.

Tiernan's first major contribution came on the 70-minute mark when he felled Skora on the edge of the box.

From the resulting free-kick, Boyd's powerful drive was pushed away by Preece.

Killie got their third in the 76th minute after a howler from Preece.

McSwegan shot tamely at the right-hand corner but the keeper spilled the ball and the alert Boyd was there to tap home the easiest of chances.

Meldrum was brought into action only once in the closing period as the Dons failed to mount any kind of late challenge.

Teams

Kilmarnock Meldrum, Lilley, Greer, Dindeleux, Hay, Fowler, Locke (Dodds 16), Skora, Murray, Boyd (Nish 87), Dargo (McSwegan 65).

Subs Not Used: Smith, McDonald.

Booked: Fowler.

Goals: Dargo 1, Boyd 28, 76.

Aberdeen Preece, Hart (Buckley 78), McGuire, Diamond, Morrison, Muirhead, Heikkinen, Tosh (Tiernan 63), Sheerin (Stewart 74), Hinds, Prunty.

Subs Not Used: Esson, Zdrilic.

Goals: Prunty 23.

Att: 7,250

Ref: J Underhill (Scotland).