Neil McCann heaped praise on Marcus Dackers after the striker rescued a Scottish Premiership point against Livingston on Saturday.
The Ayrshire side secured a 1-1 draw in McCann's first match in charge, with the forward scoring his first goal in 14 games.
Killie had gone 14 matches without a victory under former manager Stuart Kettlewell, while the Lions have now failed to win in 20 top-flight fixtures.
Connor McLennan opened the scoring for the hosts in the closing seconds of the first half, after firing home a Macaulay Tait cross at the back post.
Dackers then came off the bench to net his own rebound on 70 minutes, after home goalkeeper Jerome Prior had saved the initial strike.
McCann heaped praise on the forward for his impact, but conceded a draw was a fair reflection of the 90 minutes.
"The big man did exactly what we wanted from him. We were camped in a bit at that point, but he helped us get up the pitch," McCann said.
"He gave us stature and looked great and got his goal. That undoubtedly worked. But I was so happy with the players because losing the goal just before half-time was a sore one.
"I felt we were the team more likely to win at 1-1 and we were trying to get it, but a draw was probably fair."
McCann, who was appointed on Tuesday, was keen to highlight the character of his team after recovering from the early setback.
"We went 1-0 down so late in the first half, and that can have a detrimental effect on the group," he said.
"But I thought their character was brilliant. It shows I've got a group of boys in that changing room that have got a bit of character about them."
