Glentoran stepped up their preparations for next week’s UEFA Conference League first qualifying round tie against RFS with a hard-fought friendly against Kilmarnock at the BetMcLean Oval on Wednesday afternoon.

It was the Glens who carved out the first opportunity of the game as Jordan Stewart cut in from the left on six minutes before unleashing a shot that the visiting goalkeeper tipped over the crossbar.

Billy Crellin, fresh from signing a new long-term contract with the Club, was called into action three minutes later, producing a fine save to deny Robbie Deas from close range.

The hosts fell behind a minute later as striker Joe Hugill fired Kilmarnock in front, and the visitors doubled their advantage in the 14th minute when Cole Coughlin found the net.

Kilmarnock went close to adding a third on 23 minutes as Hugill and Coughlin combined to tee up Ellis, whose effort flew narrowly wide of the target.

As half-time approached, the Scottish Premiership side came close again when Euan Bowie struck the woodwork on 34 minutes, while at the other end Pat Hoban headed wide from Ryan Cooney’s set-piece delivery.

Both sides made a number of changes at the interval, with Kilmarnock extending their lead on 65 minutes through Tyreece John-Jules.

Andrew Mills denied Tom Lowery on 73 minutes after John-Jules had slipped him through on goal to prevent the visitors from adding a fourth.

Jordan Jenkins came within inches of pulling a goal back three minutes later after Charlie Lindsay’s clever flick released him, but his effort drifted over the crossbar.

The forward went close again moments later as the Kilmarnock goalkeeper parried his initial shot before the covering defender cleared the danger.

The visitors completed the scoring with seven minutes remaining as Ieuan Owen added a fourth to round off the afternoon.

Glentoran 0 – 4 Kilmarnock 

Starting XI: Crellin, Cooney, Larmour, Trialist, Singleton, Thomson, Kelly, Malone, Stewart, McEneff, Hoban.

Subs: Mills, Jenkins, Gallagher, Daniels, Trialist, Weatherup, Faloona, Johnson, Drennan, McClure.