IN the end it was a game of firsts at Rugby Park. Zech Medley’s first professional goal and Kilmarnock’s first all season from a corner deservedly secured Killie a first point under Tommy Wright to haul them from the canvas and back into the fight to avoid the drop to the Championship. 

The only disappointment for the hosts was their failure to reap the rewards of a dominant second-half display, denying them the chance to secure all three points for the first time since January 9. 

Even without a win this was a sure sign of Killie’s progress under Wright, ending their run of eight games without a point and only Adrian Sporle’s deflected strike - his first away from home this season - blotted the copybook in the end. 

“It's one point that we didn't have this morning so it's a real positive,” said Wright, whose side are remain second bottom. “It should give the players a lift in terms of the performance against a good side. 

Glasgow Times: Tommy Wright Tommy Wright

“The character they showed as well, to go 1-0 down on the run we are on, when we were the dominant team as well, they could have folded. They didn't. 

“The character pleased as much as the quality we showed at times.” 

The Northern Irishman has worked hard to breathe new life back into Kilmarnock, who, at times this season, have been a zombified thing, barely an active participant, just there to make up the numbers. 

There was no danger of that yesterday and Wright once again left his mark, making no less than five changes from the team which narrowly lost to Aberdeen. Chief among them was Kyle Lafferty, the former Rangers and Hearts striker, who came in for his first start. 

He was magnificent at times, always looking for the ball, and, when he got it, their most effective player. With his long frame and distinct style, he's never been an easy one to miss, which made it all the stranger when United did for the game’s first real chance. 

Less than 20 minutes had passed when a slack pass was played into the Northern Irishman's feet. In a flash, Lafferty was facing the whites of Benjamin Siegrist's eyes and, using Mark Reynolds, curled a terrific shot towards goal, which crashed against the crossbar. 

Just a matter of inches stood between Lafferty and his first Killie goal and, cruelly, the same prevailed to see Sporle's dipping effort evade Colin Doyle and hand United the lead in the next attack. Medley had been at fault, dallying to allow Ian Harkes to steal the ball, but the Arsenal loanee made amends in time. 

“Zech has a tendency to want to over-play and I suppose that comes from academy football in England,” Wright added. “There are times we just need him to put his foot through the ball. But I have been very pleased with him. He is a good defender.”

Medley’s side had already tested United’s resolve by flying out of the traps in the second-half when finally their pressure told on the hour mark. Substitute Chris Burke sent in the cross and there he was to pounce on a front post flick and send the ball beyond Siegrist. 

At this point it looked like Killie were destined for the win and only the puff of David Munro’s whistle denied Lafferty a debut goal, the referee believing Kirk Broadfoot had fouled the United goalkeeper: much to the chagrin of Wright. 

Still, were it not for a couple of fine saves from Doyle - both to deny Lawrence Shankland - the visitors could have ended up with all three points to ruin Kilmarnock’s big day. 

“Those are moments you have to dog out and be better at, be better with the football,” said Micky Mellon, whose side now sit four points behind sixth placed St Mirren with two games to go before the split. “We created the chances at the end and if you’re going to be pushing at the top half of the table you must take them.

Glasgow Times: Micky Mellon Micky Mellon

“I definitely knew it was going to be a battle down here and at the end of the day to be disappointed with a point at Kilmarnock tells you the ambition we have.

“There are things we have to improve at. It’s a damaging result, we have to be fair and say that.

“We had to probably come down and win, we don’t hide away from that. But we go next week. We never spoke about exactly what we want to achieve.”