David Martindale in heady Kilmarnock praise as he draws Lyndon Dykes comparison

The Killie frontman was vital for Derek McInnes men as they earned a 3-1 win.

David Martindale was getting Lyndon Dykes flashbacks from Kyle Vassell as the Kilmarnock frontman out his Lions to the sword.

The Livingston gaffer was frustrated his side were brushed aside at Rugby Park as the frontman bullied his backline. Martindale said: “I thought Vassell was really good for Kilmarnock. There were flashes of big Lyndon Dykes when he played for us. He was winning aerial duels, he was roughing up centre-halves and linking play. I don’t think we did any of that ourselves until we put Joel Nouble up top with Kurtis Guthrie.”

Martindale admitted his man were not at it and he said: “Take the scoreline away, the game went the way we thought it would, with set-plays playing a large part of the game. The first goal we should deal with a lot better down our right-hand side, although they did get a wee bit fortunate with a deflection.

“The three goals all came from dead balls the first one being our dead ball. Our shape wasn’t great and in the one-against-one duels we got bullied a wee bit. Kilmarnock won more of their aerial duels and won more second balls than us.”

Defender Ayo Obileye was crocked in training the build up and Mo Sangare limped off. Martindale said: “I think Ayo will be okay, it was touch and go on Friday but we missed him. Mo had an injury, I think it’s his calf. He was also away on international duty but only played 90 minutes.

“One of the reasons he played was because I knew the game was going to be direct. On set plays I needed more height. He got us the penalty and got us back in the game.

“But we lose a second goal from not doing our jobs properly at a set play. That’s the story of the Premiership so often.”