Hearts 2 - 0 Kilmarnock

A controversial refereeing decision and a classic Paul Hartley free-kick plus dropped points for Rangers at Ibrox all combined to put Hearts in pole position to claim a Champions League place for next season.

The Edinburgh club are now five points clear of Rangers with just four games remaining, but it could have been totally different if Hearts' defender Christophe Berra had been penalised and sent off for tripping Kilmarnock striker Danny Invincibile shortly before half time.

Berra and Hearts were spared by referee Eddie Smith, and although the visitors were the better team for much of the second period Hartley broke the deadlock with 20 minutes left with a trademark curling free-kick from 22 yards.

To rub salt into Killie's wounds, that man Berra added a second goal with a late header.

Hearts could easily have gone ahead as early as the 10th minute when keeper Alan Combe pushed an Edgaras Jankauskas shot into the path of fellow striker Roman Bednar, who then blasted the ball high over the top.

Hartley and top scorer Rudi Skacel seemed to pose a threat to Kilmarnock every time they burst forward from mid-field, but the Ayrshire team weathered the storm and even after Hartley's stunning goal they had chances to equalise through Colin Nish and Scotland's Young Player of the Season, Steven Naismith.
Live Commentary

90 minutes
The ref has blown his whistle for full time.

90 minutes
The referee has booked Simon Ford.

89 minutes
Steven Naismith is booked for unsporting behaviour.

87 minutes
Goal!! Hearts have scored with Christophe Berra putting it in the back of the net.

78 minutes
The referee has booked Colin Nish.

75 minutes
Edgaras Jankauskas is replaced by Calum Elliot.

70 minutes
Goal!! Hearts have scored with Paul Hartley putting it in the back of the net.

63 minutes
Saulius Mikoliunas is replaced by Deividas Cesnauskis.

46 minutes
The second half is under way with the score currently at 0 v 0.

45 minutes
Half time whistle is blown by E Smith

28 minutes
The referee has booked James Fowler.

25 minutes
Jose Goncalves is being taken off, Ibrahim Tall has come on in his place.

0 minutes
The ref has blown his whistle and the match has started.

from www.football.co.uk