Kilmarnock 1 Dundee 2
(Dundee won 4-2 on aggregate)
Kilmarnock's 28-year stay in the top-flight ended with a whimper tonight as they were defeated yet again by Dundee.
The Ayrshire side had to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg at Dens Park but a disappointing defeat by the same scoreline at Rugby Park leaves Tommy Wright's side heading for the Scottish Championship.
Since being promoted in 1993, Killie have remained ever-present in the top-flight, and the fall from grace has been spectacular after finishing third and playing Europa League football just two years ago.
Just like the first leg, it took Dundee only six minutes to fire themselves in front thanks to Danny Mullen who slotted home a tidy finish after horrendous defending from the hosts.
And in the 12th minute, Lee Ashcroft came back to haunt his former side with a bullet header. Killie had left him completely unmarked.
Just before the half-hour mark, Kyle Lafferty tried his luck but his effort was well blocked by former Killie defender Liam Fontaine.
In the 32nd minute, boss Tommy Wright felt a change of shape was needed as he subbed off defender Brandon Haunstrup for striker Danny Whitehall.
Jordan McGhee looked sure to score in the 38th minute but Killie were left relieved when his header cannoned off the bar.
Paul McGowan failed to score the follow-up as the hosts wriggled off the hook.
Chris Burke had a fantastic opportunity two minutes before half-time when he latched onto a cross at the back post but he couldn’t steer his effort on target.
Charlie Adam fired a speculative effort in the 49th minute but it flew over the bar leaving keeper Colin Doyle untroubled.
Less than a minute later, Dundee's McGowan failed to control a ball at the back post and his tame effort went wide.
Whitehall had a chance in the 64th minute when he directed a header towards goal from a corner but it was easily saved by Adam Legzdins.
A minute later, Mitch Pinnock fired a low fizzing shot towards goal but it was tipped away for a corner.
In the 69th minute, Killie pulled one back after Rory McKenzie was brought down in the box by Legzdins and Lafferty made no mistake from the spot as he smashed his penalty home.
But it was too little, too late as Killie failed to score the two goals they needed to force extra-time.
In the end, it wasn't good enough. Nowhere near good enough and a club and a town has to absorb the pain of relegation and the ramifications and consequences that will bring.
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