Livingston face a nervous final day of the season after blowing the chance to secure their Bank of Scotland Premier League status at Rugby Park.

Kris Boyd's 18th goal of the season in the 75th minute and Allan Johnston's strike 10 minutes later consigned the Lions to defeat and leave them right back in the relegation mix.

Livi must now avoid defeat against Dundee at Almondvale next week to be sure of preserving their top-flight position.

But Livingston - and Scotland - were dealt another blow in the second period when defender David McNamee was carried off in the second half with an ankle injury.

The West Lothian club had travelled to Ayrshire boosted by the news that they are out of administration and will not face a 10-point penalty at the start of next season.

Livi also went into the game on the back of two successive wins and after collecting 10 points out of a possible last 12 with just two SPL defeats since February - at the hands of Celtic and Hearts.

But their fine run was derailed by Jim Jefferies' in-form Kilmarnock, who moved into seventh spot with the win.

It took eight minutes for any kind of goalmouth action to develop, but Gabor Vincze's excellent right-wing cross was flapped away by Killie keeper Alan Combe for a corner

From Burton O'Brien's delivery Combe was again dubious under pressure and Colin McMenamin turned the resulting loose ball into the net - only for referee Iain Brines to rule it out for a foul on the keeper.

Four minutes later, David McNamee scampered away down the right and his pull-back was scuffed just wide by Derek Lilley when he should have done better.

Peter Leven's cross-shot on 15 was Killie's first real foray into Livi territory and, a minute later Gary Wales, who along with Garry Hay, signed a new deal before the game, played Gary McDonald in through the inside left berth.

Livi keeper Roddy McKenzie had to be sharp to smother the midfielder's effort.

McDonald was forced off in the 22nd minute through injury and was replaced by Rhian Dodds, another to sign a new contract before kick-off.

Livi were fighting for every loose ball and pressurising Killie whenever possible and Oscar Rubio directed a header at goal which lacked enough power to trouble Combe.

Boyd, back up front after a game on the bench against Dundee United, looked lethargic in the early stages, but showed why he is one the SPL's top scorers with a snap-shot on 36 which flashed just wide.

The second half started as the first had ended and it took 13 minutes before either side threatened to break the deadlock.

Killie raised the first attack when Hay swung in a fine cross from the left and Boyd connected with a powerful header which was just wide of McKenzie's right-hand post.

Gough shuffled his defence at the break, with Eric Deloumeaux moving to right-back and McNamee to left-back, but the switch seemed to unsettle his side.

Killie were looking the more dangerous, with Boyd in particular a threat and, after 67 minutes, the striker curled a fine effort just wide.

Jefferies made his second switch in the 70th minute when Leven was replaced by young winger Stevie Murray.

But, moments later, McNamee was carried off on a stretcher after appearing to catch his studs in the turf. Centre-half Greg Strong filled in at left-back.

Killie took the lead their second-half play merited on 75 when substitute Murray's cross was volleyed towards goal by Wales and Boyd was there to add the finishing touch for his 16th SPL goal of the season.

Gough reacted by taking off former Southampton and Aston Villa star Hassan Kachloul and sending on Craig Easton, but the visitors failed to muster an immediate response.

Steven Naismith was replaced by Johnston on 85 and the former Rangers and Hearts winger made the game safe with his second touch.

His first was when he controlled an intelligent knock-down from Wales before drilling the ball beyond McKenzie with his right foot.

Johnston, whose only two previous SPL goals this term coincidentally came against Livi, nearly made it 3-0 three minutes later, but his shot was deflected wide.

Teams

Kilmarnock Combe, Fowler, Hay, Lilley, Greer, Locke, McDonald (Dodds 22), Leven (Murray 69), Naismith (Johnston 84), Wales, Boyd.

Subs Not Used: Smith, Nish, Hamill, Campbell.

Goals: Boyd 75, Johnston 85.

Livingston McKenzie, McNamee (Strong 71), Deloumeaux, Rubio, Dorado, Kachloul (Easton 76), O'Brien, Dair, Vincze, Lilley, McMenamin (Dorrans 88).

Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Brittain, Nouma, Snodgrass.

Booked: Strong.

Att: 4,184

Ref: I Brines (Scotland).