Kilmarnock heaped more misery on Aberdeen with a dominant 4-0 victory in the William Hill Premiership at Rugby Park.

The Pittodrie side saw their winless run extended to seven games after an abject display in which they were second best throughout.

Killie took a deserved lead when skipper Kyle Vassell forced the ball over the line at the second time of asking with 19 minutes on the clock and they would double their advantage just before the hour-mark after David Watson found space to flick beyond the keeper.

Innes Cameron came off the bench to coolly add a third in the 87th minute and there was still time for fellow replacement Bruce Anderson to complete a tremendous afternoon for the hosts in added time.

Derek McInnes’ men have moved within three points of a top-six place, albeit having played one game more than St Mirren. Aberdeen remain in third, though continue to lose ground in their efforts to claim a spot in the top two.

Both managers made changes from their previous outings, including a change in goal for either side.

Robby McCrorie returned between the sticks for Killie while the Dons were boosted by the return of Dimitar Mitov who recovered from the hamstring injury that saw him miss their last three games.

The hosts started quickly and there were chances for Danny Armstrong and Bobby Wales during a bright opening.

Aberdeen looked sluggish, relying on last-ditch defending as Killie ramped up the pressure.

Slobodan Rubezic made an important block to divert Watson’s strike behind for a corner, before Duk made a goalline clearance to prevent Joe Wright’s effort finding the net.

Killie’s dominance was rewarded in the 18th minute, Fraser Murray picked out Vassell who stumbled before prodding the ball home from close range.

A positive reaction was required from Jimmy Thelin’s visitors, and they would begin to demonstrate more of an attacking threat following the opening goal.

Nicky Devlin’s drive whistled inches past the post, then Duk angled a low shot off target.

Good work from Vassell almost led to Wales doubling Kilmarnock’s advantage three minutes before half-time.

The young forward looked to have managed to round the Aberdeen keeper – but would see his progress halted after taking one touch too many.

Murray worked the Dons keeper shortly after the restart, with McInnes’ side looking to pick up where they left off.

They would double their advantage in the 59th minute. Watson made an intelligent run to latch on to Armstrong’s delivery and when the ball fell his way, he produced a neat flick past the helpless Mitov.

Thelin turned to his bench immediately after the second goal, introducing Leighton Clarkson, Shay Morris and Ante Palaversa in an attempt to breathe some much-needed life into a poor showing.

It was Killie who continued to look the more likely though, with Wales doing brilliantly to burst free down the right before picking out Murray who somehow skewed wide from eight yards.

With three minutes left, Cameron was sent clear by Murray and the substitute made no mistake in dispatching low into the net.

Kilmarnock were not done yet, as the game moved into four minutes of injury time, former Aberdeen striker Anderson tucked away Cameron’s flick-on to complete a memorable day for the Rugby Park faithful who lapped up every minute of the post-match celebrations.