May goal relief for McInnes

Striker on target in Aberdeen win over Kilmarnock

Published 26th Nov 2017

Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes was delighted to see Stevie May break his goal drought after the striker netted in the 3-1 win over Kilmarnock.

May, a summer arrival from Preston, had not hit the back of the net since mid-September but returned to form with an influential display at Rugby Park.

The striker saw a header diverted into his own goal by Kirk Broadfoot before having a goal controversially ruled out for offside, but eventually grabbed one for himself with a fine solo effort late on to wrap up the win.

McInnes said: He needs it. I can dress it up and say he's still contributing, but a centre-forward needs his goals.

"He got the last touch for the second goal, his six-yard goal should have stood and he got his individual goal so he's (not) far away from a hat-trick.

"He's somebody that you always feel there are goals in him and he will be happy with his contribution."

May, along with Kenny McLean, helped the Dons to a comfortable three points in Ayrshire against struggling Kilmarnock, who had Jordan Jones sent off after he had pulled a goal back.

It was a welcome win for McInnes' side after a humbling defeat at home to Motherwell last week, and he was pleased with his side's reaction.

"By and large I'm pleased with the players,'' he said. "It was a good response; we were all hurting after last week's defeat and it was important to get back to winning ways.

"I think that's 12 away games in the league, with 10 wins and two draws."

He added: "Last week was a sore one and we were awful, but we have done a lot of work and got the reward for it."

Killie boss Steve Clarke was left fuming after his side gave up two goals inside the first 15 minutes, which effectively ended the tie before Jones' strike offered brief hope of a point.

However he admitted it was never likely to happen. He said: "(There is) no point thinking about it. We had a really slow start, didn't get out of the traps and the game was over after 10 minutes.

"You can't give good teams two-goal head starts."

On the performance, which attracted boos from the crowd, he added: "You guys have seen us play over the past few weeks; it's a mystery.''

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