Kilmarnock’s night couldn’t have went any better as they climbed out of the Premiership's bottom two thanks to a resounding 3-0 win against Dundee United.
A Kyle Lafferty 11-minute hat-trick gave Tommy Wright’s side a comfortable victory – and thanks to Hamilton Accies and Ross County both losing – Killie climbed to 10th in the table.
The Ayrshire side are now five ahead of Accies and two ahead of the Staggies, but due to the far superior goal difference over both, the Rugby Park side effectively have an extra point.
There was a heart-in-mouth moment for Killie in the 16th minute when Lafferty lunged into a tackle but whistler Alan Muir judged it to be a booking rather than a red card.
On the half-hour mark, Lafferty had a great chance when he latched on to a Kirk Broadfoot pass but his header went wide of the post.
But the Northern Irishman more than made up for it with three quickfire goals before half time.
In the 32nd minute, he headed home a Ross Millen cross before the same pair linked up three minutes later as Lafferty smashed home from the edge of the box.
And two minutes before the break Chris Burke was fouled and there was only one man to take the spot-kick as Lafferty slotted home to secure the match ball.
Rory McKenzie had a go from distance in the 74th minute but his shot was well saved.
Substitute Nicke Kabamba had a good chance in the 80th minute when he picked up a loose ball but the United defence recovered well to block his shot.
Adrian Sporle looked sure to score in the 83rd minute when he ended up one-on-one with Colin Doyle, but the stopper stayed big and kept the effort out.
Alan Power tried his luck from 20 yards out in the 87th minute with a fine volley but it sailed just over the bar.
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