DEREK McInnes was delighted to see Stevie May break his goal drought during Aberdeen’s win at Rugby Park yesterday. The former St Johnstone striker, a summer arrival from Preston, had not hit the back of the net since mid-September but returned to form with an influential display in Ayrshire.

The visitors struck twice in the opening 15 minutes to all but seal a comfortable three points and a seventh consecutive Scottish Premiership victory.

Kirk Broadfoot diverted a May header into his own net and the Perth forward also had a goal controversially ruled out for offside but eventually ended his wait.

Kenny McLean opened the scoring after just 54 seconds and Broadfoot’s own goal followed after 12 minutes as Aberdeen took immediate control.

Jordan Jones pulled one back in the second half but May grabbed his fourth of the season with a fine piece of individual play after 74 minutes. Jones was sent off two minutes from time after a clash with Shay Logan.

Aberdeen manager McInnes said of May’s goal: “He needed 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.

“You always feel there are goals in him and he will be happy with his contribution.”

It was a welcome win for McInnes’s side after a humbling defeat at home to Motherwell last week. The manager said: “By and large, I’m pleased with the players.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.

“Last week was a sore one and we were awful, but we have done a lot of work and got the reward for it.”

Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke was left fuming after his side gave up two goals inside the first 15 minutes, which effectively ended the game before Jones’ strike offered brief hope of a draw.

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, Clarke added: “You guys have seen us play over the past few weeks – it’s a mystery.”

Graeme Shinnie and McLean combined to get the visitors off to a flying start, with the latter cutting in from the left before firing low past Jamie MacDonald.

Kilmarnock looked bereft of confidence and were struggling to string passes together before Broadfoot was forced to drag Gary Mackay-Steven down after being robbed of possession.

Greg Tansey swung the free-kick into the area and May’s flick deflected off Broadfoot to send MacDonald the wrong way.

Kilmarnock grew into the game for a spell but the half fizzled out and the home players were booed off by their long-suffering fans.

Jones cut in from the left and curled into the far corner beyond the reach of Joe Lewis to raise hope of a comeback by the hosts but it was short-lived. May latched on to a long ball before bringing it down superbly and firing in low to seal the win.