Team news

Trio set for Killie return Midfielders James Dayton, David Silva and Danny Buijs are set to be included in the Kilmarnock squad for their Clydesdale Bank Premier League match with Dunfermline after recovering from injury.

New signings Ben Gordon and Michael Nelson are available after being ineligible for the midweek William Hill Scottish Cup replay win over Dundee.

Defender Gary Fisher is a doubt with a foot problem, while goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola, defenders Alex Pursehouse and Ryan O'Leary (all knee) remain out.

Manager Kenny Shiels dismissed the suggestion the League Cup semi-final date at Hampden next week could distract his team.

"The most important game of your life is always your next game," he added.

"We don't deviate from that." Dunfermline have one win in their last 20 competitive games, but all three of their SPL victories this term have come away from home, while Killie have one win and five draws on the road this season.

Shiels, whose team have lost just twice at home this term, added: "Dunfermline's away form is better than ours, so we have to be very careful." Meanwhile, the Killie boss hopes to sign an unnamed striker on Monday to add to his attacking options.

He added: "We hope to sign a player. It's not concluded. It's 75% down the road." Iain Turner is set to be restored in goal for Dunfermline, but new signing Mark Kerr's involvement depends on the Pars receiving international clearance in time.

Turner, who is on loan from Preston, was ineligible for the William Hill Scottish Cup replay loss to Inverness on Wednesday night, when replacement Chris Smith was among those culpable for one of the visitors' goals.

Kerr could make his Pars debut after signing until the end of the season, but midfielder Paul Burns (dead leg) is likely to miss out again and Craig Easton, Austin McCann, Nick Phinn, Steven Bell and Paul Gallacher are absent.

Defender Kevin Rutkiewicz has told his team-mates to stop talking about having the ability to avoid relegation - and just do it.

The Pars, four points adrift at the foot of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League after losing 3-2 to 11th-placed Hibernian last Saturday, on Wednesday exited the William Hill Scottish Cup, beaten 3-1 by Inverness after extra-time.

The defeat, played out in front of 1,594 fans at East End Park, saw Dunfermline miss out on a potentially lucrative fifth-round tie with Celtic, extended their miserable run to one win in 20 games and meant their search for a first home win of the season continued.

Rutkiewicz recognises the severity of the situation, but is far from downbeat.

The defender, who made just a second appearance of the season following injury against Inverness, said: "Yes there have been disappointments and Wednesday night was a big one - it was a kick in the teeth. But you've got to pick yourself up and go again.

"We're in a bad situation and even with a victory on Saturday and all results going our way, we'll still be at the bottom of the league.

"That's the reality. It's going to take a period of consistency, really hard work and courage.

"It's something we're capable of, but doing it and being capable of it are two different things.

"We've got to prove to ourselves, to the staff and to the fans that they're right to keep backing us.

Kilmarnock vs Dunfermline

Last modified 17:42 21/01/12

Pars stun Killie Dunfermline recorded their first win in almost three months as they hammered Kilmarnock 3-0 at Rugby Park.

Andrew Barrowman opened the scoring with five minutes remaining in the first half and Joe Cardle doubled the visitors' lead on the hour mark.

With three minutes remaining Liam Buchanan added a third to ensure Dunfermline's first ever Scottish Premier League victory at Rugby Park.

After a drab opening to the match, Dunfermline had a good opportunity to break the deadlock when David Graham seized on deflected through ball but was denied a shot on goal by a wonderful tackle from Zdenek Kroca.

Dunfermline breached the home defence again minutes later but Buchanan's control let him down after rounding Cammy Bell in the Kilmarnock goal.

It took the hosts 12 minutes to produce their first attempt on goal, Ben Gordon firing over from outside the box.

Dunfermline responded at the other end but Cardle's effort was well over the top.

The visitors had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring after 39 minutes when Cardle's free-kick broke to Barrowman but his close-range effort was saved brilliantly by Bell.

The striker made no mistake when presented with another good chance two minutes later.

The Kilmarnock defence was caught out by Paddy Boyle's long ball and Buchanan's cut-back was finished in style by Barrowman.

Kilmarnock almost hit back immediately through Paul Heffernan but his low drive was brilliantly kept out by Iain Turner.

Garry Hay then tried his luck from distance but Turner again produced a good stop to deny the home side an equaliser.

After a disappointing start to the second half, Kenny Shiels made a double switch, introducing James Dayton and David Silva for Hay and Liam Kelly.

Barrowman passed up a great chance to double his goal tally and Dunfermline's lead after 56 minutes.

Kroca's slip on the edge of the penalty area allowed Buchanan to slide the ball to the former Ross County striker who somehow missed the target from two yards out.

On the hour mark the visitors increased their lead after another defensive error from Kroca.

The Czech defender attempted to usher the ball out of play but Buchanan was able to intercept and he laid the ball to Cardle who slotted home.

Kilmarnock began to increase the pressure on the Dunfermline goal as the home fans' frustration became increasingly evident.

Substitute Dayton flashed a shot wide of target and then minutes later headed past the post from Ben Gordon's cross.

The visitors continued to look dangerous on the counter-attack and on 74 minutes Bell had to make a smart stop from Cardle's stinging shot.

With 10 minutes remaining Heffernan looked to be denied a clear penalty when he was felled by Boyle and referee William Collum waved play on.

Dayton then again came close when he jinked into the Dunfermline penalty area and unleashed a powerful shot which was blocked by the back of Alex Keddie.

Dunfermline confirmed the win with three minutes remaining as Cardle slipped the ball inside to Buchanan and he finished emphatically.