Kilmarnock remain firmly on course for a top six Bank of Scotland Premier League finish after a comfortable victory at home to struggling Dunfermline on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts netted after just eight minutes, but went on to pass up a number of fine chances to extend their lead.

The result leaves Jim Leishman's side second from bottom - and they offered little to suggest any prospect of an upset in their forthcoming CIS Insurance Cup final meeting with runaway leaders Celtic.

Kilmarnock boss Jim Jeffries gave Paul Di Giacomo his first start in more than two years out, after ongoing knee problems - although he made a substitute appearance against Livingston two weeks ago.

Goalkeeper Alan Combe also came back into the home side's line-up, but the suspended Stephen Naismith and injured Gary Wales dropped out of the side.

Dunfermline welcomed influential playmaker Lee Makel back into their line-up after he missed the draw at home to Dundee United last week.

Scott Thomson and Jamie McCunnie also returned to the starting line-up for the Pars, while Frenchman Yannick Zambernardi dropped to the bench and Stephen Simmons and Darren Young both missed out

Di Giacomo made an immediate impact for Killie, as he picked up possession midway inside the visitors half after just 30 seconds and threaded a neat through-ball into the path of Colin Nish.

However, the big striker could only fire solidly at Allan McGregor in the Pars goal from a few yards out.

The hosts, though, did take an early lead in the eighth minute. Full-back Lindsay Wilson charged down the right flank and sent over a looping cross which was met by Danny Invincibile at the back post.

A subsequent goalmouth scramble saw the ball cleared off the line by Pars defenders Greg Shields and Andy Tod, but it was eventually forced home by Invincibile.

Pars strikers Mark Burchill and Noel Hunt had looked lively in the early stages, but were starved of service during that period as Killie dominated.

Nish looked threatening again in the 25th minute when he picked the ball up 20 yards out, but as space opened up in front of him, the former Dunfermline man could only fire straight at McGregor.

The visitors were forced to withstand wave after wave of Killie attack, with full-back Garry Hay proving a real threat down the left flank.

He fed Allan Johnston on the left side of the box in 28 minutes. The former Rangers and Hearts man jinked past Aaron Labonte and Tod and only a despairing tackle from Craig Wilson prevented a certain goal.

Invincibile looked dangerous again in the closing stages of the half, as he was sent clear on the right, but Shields did well to block.

The Pars made a brighter start to the second half, but almost fell behind again in the 49th minute.

Nish sent the onrushing Gary Locke clear in the box, but as the ex-Hearts man steadied himself for a shot, Shields made a fine late challenge and the ball was deflected over for a corner.

Di Giacomo thought he had made a dream return in the 51st minute when he guided a Nish shot beyond Pars keeper McGregor and into the net.

However, the winger had strayed into an offside position and was left crestfallen as referee Kenny Clark disallowed the goal.

Di Giacomo again went close when he capitalised on a mix-up between Shields and McGregor to send a lob goalwards in 59 minutes - but the defender recovered to hook the ball off the line and away to safety.

The winger was determined to get on the scoresheet and almost netted again in the 71st minute before Alan Combe in the Killie goal was finally called into action two minutes later when he turned a powerful effort from the edge of the box by Noel Hunt round the post.

And Polish sub Bartosz Tarachulski went close for the Pars late on when he headed a Lee Makel corner narrowly wide.

Teams:

Kilmarnock Combe, Fowler, Ford, Wright, Hay,Di Giacomo (Murray 83), Johnston (McDonald 83), Locke,Invincibile, Nish, Wilson.

Subs Not Used: Smith, Lilley, Campbell, Coyne, Loy.

Goals: Invincibile 9.

Dunfermline McGregor, McCunnie, Shields,Thomson (Zambernardi 84), Tod, Labonte,Craig Wilson (Tarachulski 82), Makel, Muirhead, Burchill,Hunt (Daquin 74).

Subs Not Used: Paterson, Donnelly, Ross, Phinn.

Booked: Shields.

Att: 5,507

Ref: K Clark (Scotland).