Kevin Kyle's second-half double gave Kilmarnock a 2-1 victory over St Johnstone in their Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at Rugby Park.

The Killie captain headed the opener six minutes after the interval then was unlucky when his headed effort crashed off the post.

However, the big striker was not to be denied and he effectively sealed the points just after the hour mark with a volley from distance, catching Saints goalkeeper Alan Main out of position.

In the second minute of added time Killie defender Frazer Wright headed a Danny Grainger corner into his own goal but it was too late for the Saints who once again may argue that they did not get their just rewards.

The height and power of Kyle appeared to be Kilmarnock's most potent threat as the game gathered momentum, but in the 16th minute it was St Johnstone's diminutive midfielder Jody Morris who rose high to head Dave Mackay's cross over the bar.

Five minutes from the break St Johnstone midfielder Gavin Swankie drew a fine save from Mark Brown with a curling shot from 25 yards but the half-time whistle came as something of a relief.

The second half began in scrappy fashion as Kyle clattered into Steven Anderson as the Saints defender cleared.

Moments later, in the 51st minute, as Anderson continued his recovery, Kyle put the home side ahead with the simplest of goals. Garry Hay curled a long ball into the St Johnstone box and the Killie captain beat the hesitant Main to head into the empty net.

In the 64th minute an attempted clearance from Main was partially blocked by Killie striker Conor Sammon and the ball broke back to Kyle who volleyed into an empty net from 30 yards.

St Johnstone pushed forward in search of a lifeline and in the second added minute of four, Wright headed a Grainger corner into his own goal but it was too little, too late.