Kilmarnock 3-3 Gretna

Gretna were denied their first away victory of the season as Kilmarnock came from behind on three occasions in a six-goal thriller. 

Goals from Gavin Skelton, Danny Grainger and Evan Horwood were not enough for the Black and Whites as Killie snatched a share of the spoils in a pulsating game at Rugby Park.

Kenny Deuchar started on his return from a loan spell at St Johnstone, but it was strike partner Henry Makinwa who made a telling contribution to the goals.

The visitors took an early lead when Makinwa shrugged off the challenge of Jamie Hamill and fed Gavin Skelton in the box. He had time and space to pick his spot and duly despatched the ball past Alan Combe into the bottom corner.

Kilmarnock responded quickly though, and would have been level three minutes later had either Gary Wales or David Fernandez connected with Hamill’s drive across the face of goal.

But they were fortunate not to find themselves two goals down on 20 minutes when Deuchar’s attempted lob came back off the crossbar.

The woodwork denied Gretna again moments later when Danny Grainger’s 20 yard free-kick rattled the upright. And following another foul on the edge of the box, Grainger saw a second attempt brilliantly saved low to his right by Combe.

But the home side equalised against the run of play when Danny Invincibile forced Gary Locke’s cross over the line on 27 minutes.

The goal did little to change the pattern of play however, as Gretna resumed control and created another string of excellent chances.

Skelton had Combe scrambling across his line with a well-struck shot from a Deuchar knock-down before the veteran keeper kept out a long range effort from skipper Paul Murray.

Then Ryan O’Leary almost found his own net from a dangerous David Cowan cross, with Combe coming to his defender’s rescue.

And on the stroke of half-time, Henry Makinwa headed agonisingly wide at the far post from Evan Horwood’s free-kick as the scores somehow remained level.

The second-half continued at the same frantic pace and Gretna were awarded a penalty after a clash of heads between O’Leary and Makinwa. Danny Grainger made no mistake from the spot, smashing the ball high down the middle.

The lead lasted just two minutes however, as Fleming’s attempted clearance of Hamill’s cross fell kindly for Fernandez, who finished from close range.

But Evan Horwood quickly restored the advantage with his first goal for the club. The on-loan defender combined with Makinwa in the box and curled a measured shot past Combe into the left-corner.

The drama wasn’t over just yet though, and Colin Nish applied the faintest of touches to substitute Willie Gibson’s inswinging cross to bring Killie level for the third time.

Both sides had chances to win the game late on with Colin Nish shooting narrowly wide for Killie and Aurélien Collin heading on to the roof of the net for Gretna but there was to be no further goals.

Kilmarnock: Combe, Fowler, Hay, Locke (Gibson 65), Nish, Wales, Invincible, Fernandez (Jarvis 78), O’Leary, Hamill, Taouil. Subs not used: Harpur, Koudou, Bryson, Flannigan, Noble. 

Gretna: Fleming, Cowan, Grainger, Innes, Collin, Jenkins (McGuffie 75), Murray, Skelton, Horwood (Deverdics 90), Deuchar, Makinwa (McLaren 81). Subs not used: Caig, McGill, Barr, Buscher. 

Star Man: Danny Grainger
The young defender is improving with every game in the SPL and produced another solid display against Killie. As well as coping with defensive responsibilities, he posed a major threat from set-pieces, and after coming close with two excellent free-kicks, he deservedly got on the score sheet from the penalty spot.

Attendance: 5,122
Referee: Chris Boyle