Hearts keep beating

Hearts (1) 1 Kilmarnock (0) 0

George Burley would have appreciated this display. Here, Hearts proved they can graft as well as craft wins, and despite their General having departed, the infantry soldiered on to remain three points ahead of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premierleague.

Before kick-off, Hearts chief executive Phil Anderton held court in the press box, saying everything and nothing regarding the appointing of a new manager. Apparently, Hearts are keeping open minds but, clearly, closed mouths on the subject of Burley's successor.

Sir Bobby Robson still has the passion to be considered a serious candidate, according to Anderton, but as for the rest on the long list, no names or time scale were forthcoming.

For the fans and players, last night was all about the football. If the atmosphere was anything to go by, the torrential rain had done nothing to dampen Hearts' spirits, even if they suffered from early stage fright.

In the first minute Steven Naismith dashed forward for Kilmarnock, blasting into the side-netting from a scoring angle. Hearts heeded the warning and surged upfield. Rudi Skacel was brought down, then Jamie McAllister almost brought the house down but Graeme Smith saved the free kick.

Ten minutes from the interval Hearts were finally rewarded for their efforts. Skacel fed Edgaras Jankauskas, who made ground before placing the ball wide of Smith.

The second half was delayed slightly as fourth official Stevie O'Reilly replaced injured referee Stuart Dougal, but normal service was resumed as Hearts searched for a second goal.

However, in the end, they gladly settled for this most slender of winning margins.

Match details

Hearts (4-4-2): Gordon; Neilson, Webster, Berra, Fyssas; Skacel (Wallace 84), Cesnauskis (Camazolla 61), Brellier, McAllister; Jankauskas (Elliot 80), Pospisil. Subs: Banks (g), Mikoliunas, Simmons, Tall.
Kilmarnock (4-4-2): Smith; Hay, Greer, Wright, Fowler; McDonald, Naismith, Dodds (Wales 68), Johnston; Boyd (Murray 74), Invincible. Subs: Bell (g), Adams, Campbell, Di Giacomo, Flannigan.
Referee: S Dougal (S O'Reilly, h-t).

Taken from telegraph.co.uk