Head Coach Craig Joyce named the same starting XI from the 3-0 win against Stirling University which seen Ellie Kane make her 20th appearance of the season for the Spiders. With Gartcairn in 2nd place dropping points, both sides knew before kick-off how important taking 3 points would be.

Queen’s Park almost had the dream start as they won a corner immediately after kick-off. However, the set-piece didn’t lead to anything.

From here, both sides tried to gain control. It would be Kilmarnock who where first to threaten. Mary Jackson chased down an Abby Robinson pass. Jackson was able to strike from the corner of the box, but a fine save from Lauren Grant in the Spiders goal prevented the opener.

The next clear chance of the match fell to Jackson after a long through ball. Jackson had time in the Queen’s Park box to take a touch before striking, but again Grant was there to make another fine save, this time from close distance.

31 minutes into the 1st half, the home side were presented with a great opportunity to break the deadlock from the penalty spot as the referee judged the ball to hit Kane’s hand after Lisa Swanson headed it towards goal. Alex Middleton dragged the kick wide of the post and the score remained level.

A very balanced first half ended scoreless as Queen’s Park failed to convert passages of good play into many clear cut chances.

Half Time: Kilmarnock 0-0 Queen’s Park

The second half started opposite to the first with Kilmarnock having the opportunity to test from a corner immediately from kick-off but to no avail. It seemed the Spiders took this as a warning, going on to control large parts of the game with great passages of play.

The Kilmarnock backline stood strong though, and long-range efforts from Eleanor Smith and substitute Rachael O’Neill were as close as the visitors would come to opening the scoring.

Nicole Cairney played a quick corner to Kane. Her cross-come-shot was flying into the net, and Queen’s Park would have been 1-0 up had it not been for great defending on the Kilmarnock goal line.

Cairney would then come close herself after a great run past 2 Kilmarnock defernders but her shot was deflected wide. Smith was able to connect to the corner but her header landed wide of the post.

For the second time this season at Rugby Park, the winner would come in stoppage time in the second half. Taylor Davis delivered an inch perfect cross for Kane to head past Lauren McGregor into the net.

Full Time: Kilmarnock 0-1 Queen’s Park

Kilmarnock: Lauren McGregor, Alex Middleton, Lauryn Reside, Reese McCulloch, Georgia Crooks, Laura McLaughlin, Abby Robinson, Monica Harty (Louise Cowan, 55′), Lisa Swanson (Kirsty Munro, 86′), Mary Jackson (Kelsy Crainie, 80′), Chloe McCance (Lucie Burns, 80′). Subs not used: Holly Kerrigan, Arwen O’Brien, Lucy Neil

Queen’s Park: Lauren Grant, Ellie Kane, Ciara Bonner, Nicole Cairney, Abby Callaghan, Leah Daly, Sarah MacLeod (Rachael O’Neill, 63′), Caitlin McKee (Hannah Fulton, 89′), Taylor Davis, Eleanor Smith, Yasmin Boyce. Subs not used: Chloe Gibney, Sophie Bayless.