Source: PA
Blackman slays Killie
Nick Blackman's first goal for Motherwell gave his side their maiden win of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League season with a 1-0 victory at Kilmarnock.
The on-loan Blackburn striker, making his first start for the Fir Park club, turned home a Chris Humphrey cross from close range nine minutes before the interval.
It proved sufficient to settle a game largely lacking in real goalmouth action.
Manuel Pascali was denied a last-minute equaliser by an excellent Darren Randolph save, leaving Kilmarnock still searching for their first points of the campaign.
While the opening quarter was lively and featured some useful wing play from James Dayton and Chris Humphrey, it lacked any dangerous penalty-box incursions from either side.
It was Motherwell who finally gave the game a much-needed goal nine minutes from the interval, Blackman breaking the deadlock by turning in a far-post cross from Humphrey which had been helped along the face of goal by strike partner Esteban Casagolda.
Craig Bryson immediately came close at the other end when he met a cross, only for Mark Reynolds to clear close to the line but neither side looked likely to score again until a late flurry from both sides in the closing minutes.
Pascali almost rescued a point for Kilmarnock with a tremendous effort following a short corner routine in the 90th minute, but Randolph produced a superb reflex block to seal his side's win.
