RIX FEARED A CASE OF DEJA VU

Hearts head coach Graham Rix feared his team were going to throw away a two-goal lead for the second time in a week during their Tennents Scottish Cup third round win over Kilmarnock.

Hearts led Celtic 2-0 in the league on New Year's Day but eventually lost 3-2, the winning goals coming in injury time.

Against Killie the Edinburgh side again found themselves two goals ahead thanks to skipper Steven Pressley and substitute Jamie McAllister.

The home side seemed comfortable, if not convincing, but an 86th-minute strike by Colin Nish ensured a nervy last few minutes for Rix and the home supporters.

"We could have done without the finale but the main thing is we got the result," Rix said.

"We were certainly thinking 'here we go again' on the bench, I can assure you. But the lads worked really hard and I was delighted.

"I don't think we were very good with the ball but as I said before the game, the most important thing was to get through.

"It was difficult for us but let's not kid ourselves, they're a good side.

"It was always going to be a tough tie for us but we showed great determination and the will to win."

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jeffries refused to make too much of Hearts' first goal even though defender Robbie Neilson appeared to step on the pitch as he took the throw-in which was headed home by Pressley.

Jeffries preferred to highlight the positive aspects of his team's performance.

He said: "On the balance of play I think we did enough to take them back to Rugby Park for a replay.

"I had no complaints about the performance, it was as good as it's been all season.

"We gave a good account of ourselves in what was always going to be a tough game.

"If you analyse a match like that then there could be a hundred fouls that you miss.

"It doesn't matter, we had enough bodies in the box and the ball was in the air for a long time.

"There was plenty of time for our defenders to size it up and go and attack it.

"I would just say that over the 90 minutes I don't think anybody could have grudged us taking them back to Rugby Park."

Kilmarnock youngster Steven Naysmith owned up to missing a glorious chance just after the break when the visitors were only 1-0 down.

He said: "I should have finished it. It dropped to me and I turned and hit it but a few of the boys said I had more time than I thought.

"Unlucky for me it went past the post but I should have scored."

Hearts' substitute McAllister, who scored only his second goal for the Jambos, played down his contribution.

He said: "It wasn't a great game to watch but the most important thing was that we got through.

"It was nice to get the goal but it's better that we're in the next round."

Taken from sportinglife.com