Kilmarnock 0 Hearts 3

By Ronnie Esplin, PA Sport

New Hearts head coach Craig Levein got his first win with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Hearts first goal came just before the break with Steve Fulton shooting home from 14 yards after working a nice one-two with Colin Cameron.

Andy Kirk settled the destination of the points in a five-minute spell after the break, capitalising on two defensive errors by the home side to score twice.

The visitors had an early half-chance in the second minute when Fulton pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the Kilmarnock box but the midfielder's shot went high over a bar.

At the other end, Andy McLaren raced down the left and swung a dangerous cross into the middle but Hearts defender for the day, Scott Severin, headed clear.

There was little goalmouth incident other than that in the opening period, and it wasn't until the 27th minute there was any reason for excitement amongst the crowd.

A speculative Fulton shot from wide on the left had Kilmarnock keeper Gordon Marshall scrambling to clear the ball from just under the bar.

Minutes later, in a rare Kilmarnock attack, Jamie Fowler found himself with the ball at his feet 16 yards from goal but the youngster's shot was blocked for a corner by Hearts defender Steven Pressley.

There was a scare for Hearts in the 36th minute when keeper Antti Niemi blasted a clearance off Craig Dargo but fortunately for the visitors the ball went behind for a goal-kick.

Just as the first period seemed destined to be goalless, Hearts got the breakthrough.

Fulton worked a simple but effective one-two with Cameron and blasted past Marshall from 14 yards. It was a rare piece of skill in an otherwise tedious first 45 minutes.

Boosted by their opener, the visitors started the second half the better and doubled the lead in the 51st minute.

A harmless long ball had the Killie defenders Martin Baker and Sean Hessey in trouble and the ball bounced kindly to Kirk.

The youngster let the ball bounce once then hammered it over the helpless Marshall from 30 yards.

Five minutes later, another defensive mistake allowed the same player to make it 3-0 and settle the contest.

Gus McPherson's cross-field pass was cut out by Kirk, who raced clear before easily slotting past Marshall.

Kilmarnock boss Bobby Williamson put on all three substitutes in a desperate attempt to rescue something from the game but there was no way back for the home side.

Hearts were in control now and looked like adding to their lead any time they ventured forward.

In the 77th minute, Kirk again was clean through on goal but ran the ball wide and his shot from a tight angle was straight at keeper Marshall.

With five minutes to go, Gordon Durie missed an easy chance to make it four, shooting wide after beating the Kilmarnock offside trap and having only the keeper to beat.

In the end it was a comfortable win for the visitors, although they can thank the Kilmarnock defence for making it easy for them.

Teams:

Kilmarnock: Marshall, MacPherson, Baker, Hessey, Hay, Fowler (Canero 58), Mahood, Reilly, McLaren, Cocard (Vareille 58), Dargo (Wright 60).

Subs Not Used: McGowne, Meldrum.

Booked: Hay.

Hearts: Niemi, Murray, Pressley, Neilson, Severin, Cameron, Juanjo (Locke 72), Tomaschek, Fulton (Milne 82), Kirk, Durie (McSwegan 86).

Subs Not Used: McKenzie, Goldie.

Booked: Neilson.

Goals: Fulton 45, Kirk 51, 55.

Att: 6,828

Ref: D McDonald (Scotland).


Taken from sportinglife.com