Neil McCann began his Kilmarnock reign with a draw that keeps relegation rivals Livingston four points behind them at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

Only appointed on Tuesday, McCann had just three days to get to work with the Ayrshire team, who lost three of the four games under interim manager Kris Doolan, after Stuart Kettlewell was sacked last month and were winless in 14.

His spell didn’t start well as Connor McLennan smashed the division’s bottom side in front on the cusp of half-time and set on course for just their second win of the league campaign – 19 games since their only previous victory.

David Martindale’s men looked to be well on their way to that much-needed win when Tete Yengi broke through on goal, but the striker’s ferocious strike bounced off the underside of the crossbar.

Kilmarnock were on the ropes, but a flurry of substitutions paid dividends, with replacement striker Marcus Dackers stabbing home his second of the season at the second time of asking, after Jerome Prior pulled off a sensational save.

The final 20 minutes were frantic, with both sides desperate for the priceless three points, and though hometown boy Scott Arfield came close on his debut off the bench for Livingston, neither could find a winner.

Livingston remain at the foot of the table, four points behind Kilmarnock with a game in hand over their visitors.

Martindale told BBC Scotland pre-match that Livi “needed to win” here, but it’s fair to say the opening 10 minutes were not part of his plan.

He was forced to substitute Brooklyn Kabongolo after he followed his first-minute booking with two further reckless challenges before eight minutes were played.

The introduction of Danny Wilson calmed things down for Livi, who allowed Killie the better of the first-half chances.

Scott Tiffoney was able to cut in from the right and fire a wicked shot at Prior who punched it away, while Bruce Anderson skewed a shot wide.

Those were the flashpoints of a half which left Martindale furious as he watched three of his players booked in comparison’s to Killie’s none.

He was somewhat happier after MacLennan met Macaulay Tait’s cross to change his half-time team talk, but his fury in the dugout didn’t falter.

Especially when Scott Pittman claimed for a penalty late on as he believed the ball hit Brad Lyons’ arm.

Martindale’s opposite number was not exactly serene either on his debut in the Killie dugout.

Having made three changes – including a debut for full-back Michael Schjonning-Larsen – McCann didn’t stop communicating with his team.

He conceded they had been given a lot of information since his arrival, but for large parts of his first game, it didn’t always appear as though his players picked up on it.

And he was left irate that referee Don Robertson didn’t dismiss Kabongolo.

Despite that, Killie managed to carve out the best opportunities of the first half, and looked – up until the penalty claim – the side who would sneak a winner with the way they kicked on after their well-worked equalI see.

McCann is sure he’s seen enough from the 15 players he called on today that there is the character there required to preserve their top-flight status.

While Martindale said it was a must-win, it was surely a must-not-lose for McCann.

Livingston manager David Martindale: “I’m disappointed with the two points dropped, that’s how it feels. There’s a lot to like within the performance in terms of control in the game, chance creation. Final third, we’ve got to be a wee bit cleaner up there.

“The goal was fantastic. There was a lot to like in the goal. Disappointed with the goal we lose. We’ve got to do better with the first contact. We’re giving cheap, cheap goals away to the opposition. Not defending our box well enough.”

Match report: Amy Canavan

Share this: