KEVIN Kyle played through pain almost as bad as the infamous occasion when his infant son knocked boiling water into the former Scotland striker's lap as he secured Kilmarnock's top-flight status.
The 27-year-old scored the winning goal against Inverness, taking his tally to eight since his January move to Rugby Park, and moved Kilmarnock far enough away from the Scottish Premier League relegation zone to allow them to start planning for next
season in the top division.
Kyle had received pain-killing injections for a troublesome hernia prior to kick-off but admitted he was still in agony, reminiscent of the incident three years ago when he was put on the injury list at Sunderland by son Max, then eight months old, who knocked over a jug of scalding water.
He said: "I've had a hernia for a while, and some bruising on the pelvic area which has kept me out of training since Wednesday. But I'm the man that's walked away with the winner and the three points for Kilmarnock again, so I can't really complain.
"I'm delighted with the win but sore all over. In fact I've not felt this sore since the wee man spilt boiling water over me."
There were scenes of joy and relief at full-time among the home fans at Rugby Park but Inverness now find themselves in a do-or-die final fixture against Falkirk.
The Highlanders can feel a little aggrieved at having left Ayrshire empty-handed as they dominated long periods of play. After 11 minutes they came close to opening the scoring when Richie Foran lunged into the six-yard box but failed to connect with a dangerous ball across the face of the goal by Roy McBain.
Inverness midfielder Brian Kerr then came close after 20 minutes when his right-footed shot was deflected just wide of Alan Combe in the home side's goal. Kyle was generally well marshalled by Inverness defenders Ross Tokely and Grant Munro, but a minute before half-time he almost broke the deadlock only to see his header from eight yards cleared off the line.
With less than 15 minutes remaining Killie threatened from a set-piece situation, but Kyle and Lilley managed to get in each other's way and the chance was gone.
However, the hosts then got the goal they barely deserved. With ten minutes left, Mehdi Taouil beat his man and supplied Gary Hay, who crossed for Kyle to knock the ball home at the back post. Taouil nearly made it 2-0 in the last minute but his effort hit the post.
Kyle has had a rough time with injury problems. However, he plans to put this behind him and looks forward to a full season with Kilmarnock next term.
The former Sunderland and Coventry striker said: "I feel good confidence-wise, but I'm not 100 per cent fit yet. Hopefully I can have a full pre-season and go one better next season.
"We've played three games in a week which has been hard. Our assistant manager Billy Brown said players like me need to have a proper run playing every week to get used to it.
"I'm looking forward to getting a full pre-season in and being in better shape for next season."
Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston recently told the press that his club would be in serious financial danger if they were to be relegated into the Scottish Football League First Division. Kyle was well aware of how big a win this was for the future of Kilmarnock.
He said: "Obviously the chairman said that if the club was to go down we have to go bust, so staying in the SPL is great. The fans can look forward to another season of big games against Rangers and Celtic next year."
That is not the case yet for Inverness, although manager Terry Butcher is upbeat, with a draw at home to Falkirk next week being enough to spare them the drop.
"We would have taken this situation in January so we just have to get on with it," said Butcher, who took over from Craig Brewster at the turn of the year with Inverness cut adrift at the foot of the table.
"Falkirk have beaten us twice recently but having said that my players have shown magnificent character this week and now we just have to get on with it. We have to look forward."
