Kilmarnock 2-2 Hearts

Hearts were held to a fifth successive draw as Kilmarnock snatched a late equaliser to make it 2-2 in a keenly fought draw at Rugby Park.

Goals from Skacel and Stevenson had put Hearts 2-1 up after Fowler's deflected opener, only for Agard to volley Killie level with four minutes left.
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Hearts made four changes from last week's draw with Motherwell. In came Jamie MacDonald, Marius Zaliukas, Adrian Mrowiec and David Templeton. Out went Marian Kello, Andy Webster the suspended Ismael Bouzid and Suso.

Hearts were first to threaten after four minutes. Ian Black picked up on a loose ball some 20 yards out, and his powerful left foot drive was beaten away well by Cammy Bell.

The resulting corner brought another opportunity. Thomson's corner was flicked on at the near post by Palazuelos, and Eggert Jonsson just couldn't direct his header on target.

Alexei Eremenko thought he'd given Kilmarnock the lead on 12 minutes, only for Jamie MacDonald to brilliantly tip his free kick on to the cross bar.

Rudi Skacel was next to try his luck from a set piece situation, but the Czech saw his free kick drift just wide of the far post after 16 minutes.

A scrappy first half saw both sides trying to attack, although neither seemed to be able to find that final ball. Referee Euan Norris was kept busy however, with several uncompromising challenges going in.

David Templeton briefly lifted the game out of the lull it had slipped in to, cutting inside and sending a low left foot drive flashing wide a minute before the break.

Manuel Pascali's header shortly after the restart had MacDonald flying across his goal, and again the 'keeper got a strong hand to the ball to keep it out.

The Ayrshire men wanted a spot kick after 53 minutes, although Euan Norris showed no hesitation in booking Eremenko for simulation.

Kenny Shiels' men made the break through a minute later. Hearts' failed to clear their lines and Kelly laid the ball off to James Fowler, who's well struck shot took a big deflection on it's way to finding the corner.

Skacel was close to getting an immediate equaliser for Hearts, Bell at full stretch to palm away his curling free kick. Jonsson's header from following corner had to be scrambled off the goal line.

Hearts were level on 65 minutes. Templeton's in-swinging cross bounced in front of Bell and back off the cross bar. Skacel was quickest to react and powered home his 13th of the season from close range.

Lovely link up play between Templeton and Stevenson presented Ian Black with a clear shot at goal, but he couldn't keep his left foot effort down.

Hearts got themselves in front on 78 minutes. Craig Thomson's corner was met powerfully by Stevenson who bulleted home his seventh of the season, one the former Ayr United man seemed to enjoy.

The momentum was with the Jambos at this point, and Skacel has another opportunity on 79 minutes, but couldn't keep the ball down with the outside of his left foot.

Killie sub Kieran Agard sent a stinging shot towards the Hearts goal, and fortunately the ball only found the side netting with ten minutes left.

MacDonald again pulled off an outstanding save on 82 minutes, athletically tipping away Dayton's free kick. The resulting corner should have seen Sissoko net the leveller, although he headed over from close range.

Kilmarnock did find an equaliser with four minutes left. Again Hearts failed to clear their lines and Agard gave MacDonald no chance with a powerful volley from inside the box.

Dayton had a chance to win it as the game moved in to stoppage time although MacDonald made himself big and the winger could only drive the ball off the Hearts goalkeeper.

That proved to be the last meaningful attack of the match, and Hearts now require just a point from their remaining three games to clinch third place.

Kilmarnock: Bell, Clancy, Fowler (Dayton 80), Sissoko, Bryson, Hamill, Silva, Eremenko, Kelly, Pascali, Pascali, Aubameyang (Agard 68). Subs not used: Letheren, Hay, Taouil, Berntsson, Gros.

Hearts: MacDonald, C.Thomson, Zaliukas, Jonsson, Palazuelos, Templeton (Driver 70), Mrowiec, Black, Skacel (McGowan 81), Stevenson, Elliott (Glen 90). Subs not used: Balogh, Barr, Obua, Robinson.

Referee: Euan Norris

Top man: Jamie MacDonald

Hearts World