Wright: Killie's goal threat brings confidence in bid to beat drop

Kilmarnock boss Tommy Wright knows his side will have to improve in defence if they are to avoid relegation – but says the team’s creativity can give them confidence if they do face a play-off.

Kyle Lafferty scored twice and Greg Kiltie found the net against St Mirren but the paisley sidestruck through Jamie Mcgrath, Cammy Macpherson and Collin Quaner to tak e a 3-3 draw that leaves Killie in the play-off spot with one game to go.

Ross County’s win over Hamilton means that Kilmarnock no longer fear automatic relegation but their only hope of safety on Sunday would be if they can beat Accies and see John Hughes’ side lose to Motherwell.

Wright reflected on his side’s missed opportunity to take a win into the final day but saw plenty to like in his team’s attacking play.

He said: “I have mixed emotions. We did more than enough to win the game, and we could have won it with the last kick of the ball when the keeper makes a great save.

“We created more chances and had more shots on target but showed real naivety twice to concede after we had scored, so that’s disappointing.

“We should have won the game but as a team we played a part in the fact we didn’t.

“We were naive at the restarts from our goals. We fell asleep and that cost us. If you look at how we played and how many chances we created, we could have scored more.

“But we haven’t kept enough clean sheets and that’s as a team. However, we are creating chances and that’s a positive going into the final game.

“If we win and Ross County lose, then we stay up. If that doesn’t happen then I think we will go into the play-off with confidence.”

St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin was impressed by the way his side reacted to falling behind.

“For a neutral, it was an entertaining game but there is plenty to work on defensively for both managers,” he said.

“On a positive side, we showed great character to come back from being behind twice.

“We were flat in the first half but we showed great fight to come back from 2-0 down.

“Cammy MacPherson’s goal was the best of the night and it’s probably our goal of the season.”