John Robertson started his reign as Livingston manager with a defeat as the West Lothian club were swept aside by Kilmarnock in the Bank of Scotland Premier League at Rugby Park.

Steve Hislop gave the SPL bottom club a surprise lead against the run of play in the 14th minute when Killie keeper Graeme Smith failed to deal with his far-post header.

But in-form Gary Wales equalised in the 22nd minute with a fine shot on the turn before Steven Naismith added a second five minutes later through a crisp drive.

Danny Invincibile wrapped up the points side just before the hour mark for Jim Jefferies' side, who remain firmly on course for a top-six finish.

Former Hearts boss Robertson, who succeeded Paul Lambert on Wednesday, spent four successful years at Almondvale as a coach but now faces a huge task to haul the Lions to SPL safety.

This was the third time this season Killie have secured a comfortable win against Livi, who have won just once away from home all season and this defeat means they remain six points adrift of Dunfermline, who play Celtic on Sunday.

Killie went into the match with just one defeat, which came at Parkhead, in eight SPL games and their confidence was clear to see from the start, Naismith turning cleverly on the edge of the box after two minutes and testing Ludovic Roy with a low drive.

The Lions had a lucky escape in the 12th minute when Invincibile's shot struck the right-hand post and when Naismith pounced on the rebound, Roy denied him with a magnificent save.

Two minutes later Livi took the lead with their first foray into the Killie half, Graeme Smith allowing a header from Hislop to escape his grasp after the striker got on the end of a fine Paul Tierney free-kick.

In the 19th minute, the visitors went close to adding to their lead when Derek Adams headed inches over following another inviting Tierney centre.

Then, a minute later, Sam Morrow out muscled Killie centre-half Frazer Wright and shot just wide of Smith's goal.

Livi were left to rue those near misses in the 22nd minute when Wales continued his impressive recent scoring run, converting Naismith's knock down following Allan Johnston's deep cross.

Five minutes later, Killie took the lead when Naismith cut inside from the left of the box to fire low past Roy and into the right-hand corner of the Livi net.

Gabor Vincze picked up a yellow card for a two-footed tackle on Naismith - a challenge which sparked a minor scuffle.

Kilmarnock on-loan full-back Lindsay Wilson was booked for a trip on Tierney and Naismith for simulation in the Livi box as the closing 15 minutes of the half ended with indiscipline rather than goalmouth action.

Robertson made two changes at the interval in a bid to turn the game in Livi's favour, Brittain being replaced by Allan Walker and goalscorer Hislop making way for Snodgrass.

It took until the 10th minute of the second period for either side to pose any kind of threat and it was Livi who were the first to show any intent, Morrow's clean strike flying just wide of Smith's right-hand post.

That seemed to liven Jefferies' men up and, after Wales had won the ball in midfield, he set Invincibile free down the right with a terrific pass and the Australian hammered the ball past Roy to give the home side a two-goal cushion in the 59th minute.

Former Scotland striker Robertson played his final card immediately, throwing Irish winger Wes Hoolahan on for former Manchester United reserve Tierney.

Snodgrass was a lively presence up front for the Lions with some neat touches and he tested Smith with a header in the 84th minute.

Jefferies gave Gary Locke a five-minute run-out in midfield as Colin Nish, who had an indifferent game alongside Wales, was taken off.

Goalscorers Naismith and Wales were then replaced a minute later by Stevie Murray and Paul Di Giacomo as Killie played out time for the most comfortable of victories.

Teams

Kilmarnock Smith, Wilson, Ford, Wright, Hay, Fowler, Johnston,Wales (Di Giacomo 87), Invincibile, Nish (Locke 85),Naismith (Murray 87).

Subs Not Used: Bell, Lilley, Campbell, Adams.

Booked: Wilson, Naismith.

Goals: Wales 22, Naismith 27, Invincibile 59.

Livingston Roy, Tierney (Hoolahan 61), Pinxten, Dorado,Mackay, Brittain (Walker 45), Adams, Vincze, Dair, Morrow,Hislop (Snodgrass 45).

Subs Not Used: Woods, Strong, Weir, Miller.

Booked: Vincze.

Goals: Hislop 14.

Att: 5,266

Ref: C Murray (Scotland).