Last updated on .From the section Scottish Premiership

Livingston ended a winless run of nine games as Chris Erskine's strike saw Kilmarnock fall four points behind third-placed Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.

Three days after being knocked out the Scottish Cup by Rangers, Steve Clarke's side suffered another setback despite hitting the woodwork three times.

Erskine reacted to a loose ball in the box to net his first goal for the club.

Livingston's win moved them 13 points clear of third bottom Dundee.

Kris Boyd, with a header, Eamonn Brophy, from distance, and Rory McKenzie, from close range, all hit the bar for Clarke's side.

The home side were assertive too, though, and Kilmarnock goalkeeper Daniel Bachman - able to play after succeeding with his appeal against the red card he was shown at Ibrox last Wednesday - saved well from Steve Lawless and Steve Lawson.

Changes don't pay off for Clarke

After the rigours of midweek, Kilmarnock made seven changes to the side that lost 5-0 to Rangers. There was also change in the air for Livingston, as they ditched their customary back three and opted for a back four.

The biggest chance in the opening stages fell to the away side. Boyd met a cross into the box, but his header bounced off the top of the bar.

Up at the other end, Lawless hit the byeline and his cutback deflected off a Kilmarnock defender towards goal but Bachmann made the save.

Liam Kelly in the Livingston goal then showed off his acrobatic skills as he saved a long-range effort from McKenzie.

But it was the home side who took the lead just before half-time. The Kilmarnock defence failed to deal with a long throw into the box and Erskine - leading the line - turned to fire home his first goal since joining from Partick Thistle last month.

Kilmarnock came roaring out of the traps in the second half, with Brophy firing off a superb effort from 25 yards that struck the bar.

But Livingston were looking to extend their lead at the other, with Lawson shooting from the edge of the box, but Bachmann saved well.

Erskine then set up Scott Pittman, but his shot from eight yards was blocked as Livi intensified their search for a decisive second goal.

Yet Kilmarnock almost equalised from a free kick. Brophy fired in from 20 yards and Kelly could only parry the ball into the path of McKenzie, who fired the follow up off the bar.

Livingston remained a threat though, and Kilmarnock defender Stuart Findlay bravely blocked a fierce shot from Scott Tiffoney.

Steve Clarke's Kilmarnock have now not scored in four games

Erskine leads from front - analysis

This was Livingston's first victory of 2019. Throughout the nine-match winless run, manager Gary Holt had maintained a sense of positivity that things would eventually turn.

A change of shape and a new goalscorer in Erskine clearly played a huge part. Will this be the way of things from now on?

Frustration for Kilmarnock, who suffered a seventh straight match without a win. They hit the woodwork three times, but the bottom line is they have now failed to score in their last four games.

'The lads put in a shift' - reaction

Livingston manager Gary Holt: "We were worthy winners. We had a game plan and it paid off.

"[Erskine] has taken a bit of time to get settled, but we know his qualities and the areas we can get the best out of him. He looked after the ball for us and made good runs into the channels. He can finish and we just need to get him in those areas more.

"We have a working environment here that is enjoyable. Win, lose or draw, we know what we get out of the lads. They put in a shift."

Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke: "The game could have been a lot different, three times we hit the woodwork.

"I've got nothing but praise for my players, they created chances and sometimes it's not your day. Unfortunately for us, it hasn't been our week.

"Where we are in the league is OK. We don't panic, we look to bounce back."