Gretna revived their hopes of survival in the Scottish Premier League by crushing Kilmarnock 4-2 at Fir Park on Wednesday night.The scoreline flattered Kilmarnock who at one stage were 4-0 down to goals from Nicky Deverdics, Rhys Meynell, Craig Barr and Mickael Buscher.

Simon Ford and Willie Gibson were on target late in the game for second-bottom Kilmarnock, but their lead over Gretna was cut to nine points, and Jim Jefferies' side could face a nervy end to the season on this evidence.

The victory was made all the more remarkable by the fact it came on the day Gretna lost in-form striker Kenny Deuchar, who penned a deal with Major League Soccer side Real Salt Lake.

Kilmarnock boss Jim Jefferies was looking to secure SPL safety, but all the positive talk after Sunday's win over Aberdeen counted for nothing as they put in a worrying performance.

Jefferies made two changes, with Chad Harpur replacing injured goalkeeper Alan Combe and Ford coming in for David Lilley in defence.

Kilmarnock opened purposefully, as Mehdi Taouil caused Gretna early problems with his mazy trademark runs down the left wing.

The noisy travelling supporters were willing their team on and the Kilmarnock players seemed to be spurred on, taking the game to Gretna who struggled to hold possession inside the visitors' half.

Neat play on the left allowed Craig Bryson space, but despite his wicked outswinging cross foxing all the Gretna defenders and goalkeeper Greg Fleming, Danny Invincibile was unable to connect.

But Gretna soon settled and began to look more like the side who caused Rangers problems at Ibrox at the weekend - and after 27 minutes they took the lead.

Midfielder Deverdics pounced on a loose ball 25 yards from goal and wasted no time thundering the ball beyond Harpur for a superb opener.

As tempers flared, both Chris Innes and Invincibile were booked after 33 minutes.

John Paul Kissock was the main creator for Gretna and it was fine play by the Liverpudlian, on loan from Everton, which brought about the corner for Gretna's second.

Kissock took the corner himself and, while Kilmarnock froze, Meynell coolly headed home from seven yards to make it 2-0.

In controversial circumstances, Gretna amazingly went 3-0 up in the 44th minute.

Barr's looping header beat Harpur, but Frazer Wright seemed to clear off the line.

However referee John Underhill, taking advice from his stand-side linesman, awarded the goal.

Kilmarnock came out early for the second half, however once play resumed they looked every bit as lacklustre as they had in the opening 45 minutes.

Jefferies replaced Allan Johnston with Paul Dalglish, and then brought Gibson on for Martyn Corrigan, but the substitutions did little to revive the Ayrshire team.

As the match neared the hour stage, striker Buscher slammed home Gretna's fourth goal of the night.

He scored with ease, finding time and space inside Kilmarnock's penalty area box before shooting high into the middle of the goal.

Gretna were on easy street and looked untroubled by a hapless Kilmarnock side.

Kilmarnock managed to pull a goal back in the 72nd minute when Ford headed home unchallenged from nine yards.

Former Queen Of The South player Gibson cut Gretna's lead down to two goals when in the 83rd minute he fired low and hard from 12 yards beyond Harper.

However there still looked to be a lack of leadership, direction and drive in Kilmarnock's play.

And as the clock ticked down disenchanted away supporters headed for the exit, leaving the Gretna fans dreaming of another chapter being written in their fairytale story.

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