A deflected own goal from newcomer Mo Sylla separated the sides as Kilmarnock edged Livingston at Rugby Park in the Premier Sports Cup.
It was a tough one to take for The Lions who worked hard and were also denied by several fine saves from their former goalkeeper Max Stryjek.
The visitors enjoyed a large slice of the play but failed to capitalise. Overall, however, the newly-promoted side will now have some idea of what they face when the William Hill Premiership kicks-off in a few weeks time.
Earlier, Sam Culvert made his first start for Livingston and Samson Lawal and Teti Yengi returned to the bench.
The first real chance arrived after 11 minutes following a breakaway, Culvert crossing for Stevie May but he failed to convert.
Robbie Muirhead and May linked for Livingston and May had a one-to-one chance with Max Stryjek, but the former Livi player made a fine double save.
Killie hit back and Brad Lyons found Djenairo Daniels, but he was off-target with his shot before Livingston’s Danny Wilson was booked for a challenge on Liam Polwarth before Killie broke the deadlock.
It was unfortunate that Sylla deflected the ball past Jerome Prior, but David Martindale’s men did not let their heads go down and pressed forward in search of an equaliser.
Stryjek made a great stop to thwart Muirhead and the same player was denied again by the Polish-born, ex-Livi stopper to keep the home side ahead.
Former Lions skipper Jamie Brandon came on as a substitute for the home side and Kilmarnock replaced Lyons.
Minutes later, Martindale made a triple swap in a bid to get back into the game. Andy Winter took over from May, Graham Carey came on for Macaulay Tait and Moorhead made way for Yengi.
Culvert then threatened and played Winter in, but his cross was deflected for a corner. Dan Finlayson found Wilson but Stryjek was there again.
Kilmarnock made a double change as the clock ticked on towards full time and Martindale also made a move, sending on Zak Rudden to replace Lewis Smith.
Finlayson was then replaced by Shane Blayney and Carey found Wilson from a corner, but he sent his header wide and then Prior was called into action, saving from Marley Watkins.
Four minutes of injury time was indicated by the fourth official but there was no further scoring.
FLASHBACK: David Martindale leaning against the dugout.
