Naismith's late show subdues Hearts

MARK WOODS
AT TYNECASTLE

HEARTS 2
Wyness 6; Miller 45

KILMARNOCK 2
Nish 25; Naismith 89

THE rich affection in which Jim Jefferies is held in parts of Tynecastle for his intrinsic role in bringing the only Scottish Cup of recent vintage to Edinburgh lingers on, seven years after that momentous occasion.

John Robertson was an unutilised observer that day but clearly the time spent in his former manager’s company brought a certain appreciation by osmosis.

The now rival tacticians mirrored each other on the touchline yesterday, wave for wave, shout for shout. And at the end of an enthralling and ferocious cup tie, their teams were likewise inseparable thanks to Steven Naismith’s startling late equaliser for Kilmarnock, Jefferies’ popularity here suspended as he bounded around like it was 1998 all over again.

It was harsh on Hearts. Such is the nascent popularity cultivated by Lithuanian winger Saulius Mikoliunas that his nation’s flag was vigorously waved whenever he passed in the vicinity of his personal fan club. He catalysed the opening goal, spreading play out to Robbie Neilson who centred toward Dennis Wyness whose deft header crept inside Combe’s post.

The capital outfit nearly soared further ahead soon after when Paul Hartley’s powerful 20-metre free-kick forced Combe to lunge desperately. Then Mikoliunas further impressed by picking out Wyness who cleverly curled his attempt towards the top corner. He was denied, initially, by the post but the prostrate Combe was required to improvise by flicking clear after the ball rebounded off his back.

Surviving, but only just, the visitors stirred to contribute equitably to a stirring battle. Their equaliser arrived quickly following a rare moment of somnolence from Andy Webster as he guarded Alan Johnston’s inswinging delivery. Colin Nish, returning to the field after treatment for a wrist injury, stole in unseen to nudge past Craig Gordon from close range.

His injury subsequently forced a change but replacement Kris Boyd rapidly popped up in a skirmish in the box and was denied only when Webster got a critical touch on the line.

Hearts retrieved the lead in first-half injury time when Hartley jinked around a trio of Kilmarnock pursuers before glimpsing Lee Miller in his wake. Shepherded by both Gary Hay and David Lilley, both pass and run required nothing less than perfection. Flawlessly, the on-loan forward skipped forth and gleefully rattled past Combe from 20 metres out.

Impeccably timed, it stymied the visitors’ impetus. Robertson’s charges proved so assertive that Killie ultimately lapsed into desperation. Freed by Mikoliunas, Hartley should really have eradicated any anxiety when he scampered clear but Combe thwarted his ambitions with a fine one-handed parry.

How valuable that would be. With all hope seemingly gone in the penultimate minute, Boyd reacted quickest in a crowded area, knocking the ball into the path of Naismith and the substitute held nothing back as he slammed beyond Gordon.

Hearts: Gordon, Neilson, Pressley, Webster, McAllister, Wallace, Mikoliunas (Hamill, 76), Simmons (MacFarlane, 83), Hartley, Miller, Wyness (Burchill, 78). Subs Not Used: Thorarinsson, Moilanen.

Kilmarnock: Combe, Lilley, Ford, Fontaine, Hay, Johnston, Leven, Locke

(Naismith, 61), McDonald, Nish (Boyd, 38), Invincibile (Murray, 61).

Subs Not Used: Fowler, Smith.

Referee: J Rowbotham.

Taken from the Scotsman