JAMES HUNT

KILMARNOCK 0

HEARTS 0

JAMES FOWLER was barely able to climb out of bed on Saturday morning as he became the latest victim of the flu virus that swept through Rugby Park last week.

Yet the midfielder's illness failed to stop him producing yet another Herculean performance as Kilmarnock stopped the rot of two successive defeats with a battling draw against Hearts.

Fowler may not be a headline grabber and much of his excellent work goes unnoticed but study him closely and it's easy to see why Gordon Strachan is considering atransfer-window swoop to take him to Parkhead.

Tenacious, composed and with a burning desire unmatched by the vast majority of his opponents the 26-year-old has been one of the most consistent SPL performers over the past two seasons.

Fowler doesn't do bad games and this contribution when he covered every blade of grass on the Rugby Park pitch was incredible considering he wasn't even halfway to being 100 per cent fit.

Understandably boss Jim Jefferies is desperate to keep him in Ayrshire as his loss could conceivably be more severe than that of Kris Boyd, who quit for Rangers at this time last season, and the imminent departure of Young Player of the Year Steven Naismith.

Fowler is the glue that holds Killie together and his quiet efficiency, combined with the appalling finishing of Roman Bednar, was the major reason the home side emerged with a share of the points.

Jefferies said: "We showed a real resilience and determination when you see some of the guys who were missing and who were struggling with flu.

"I didn't fill in the team sheet until the last minute because Fowler and Danny Invincibile both came down with the virus in the morning.

"So to come out and get a draw was magnificent. I thought Fowler was outstanding and I'm not surprised clubs are looking at him as he doesn't get the plaudits he deserves. He's been magnificent for the past couple of seasons since moving into midfield and he is consistent week in week out.

"He wasn't 100 per cent but he covered Paul Hartley all over the pitch and did extremely well."

Gordon Greer and Simon Ford were also immense for a Killie team who'd conceded eight goals in their previous eight games prior to the visit of Hearts.

But apart from a few early moments of indecision from keeper Graeme Smith Killie were defensively sound as they kept a clean sheet for the first time since winning at Tynecastle 12 games ago. Hearts did have their chances when Ford made a stunning last- ditch block to deny Andrius Velicka then Smith parried from the same player.

Thankfully, the game stepped up a gear after the break with the major talking point coming in the 55th minute when Naismith exchanged passes with Allan Johnston and left himself with a race to beat the onrushing Craig Gordon.

Naimsith poked the ball past the Hearts keeper only to see his effort come crashing back off the bar. The Killie youngster was again first to the rebound and as he attempted to finish the job off Gordon appeared to carry the ball over the line. But despite the home team's protests referee Dougie McDonald refused to award a goal.

Hearts'response saw Christophe Berra missing from six yards and Bednar, who replaced the ineffective Michal Pospisil proving equally as cumbersome in front of goal.

First Smith pawed away a close-range header which should have given the keeper no chance, then Bednar ballooned over the bar when running on to Hartley's perfect through pass.

At the death Killie could have won it when Johnston's delightful ball left Gary Wales one on one with Gordon but the former Hearts striker dragged his shot inches wide of the post.

Jefferies said: "Sometimes we get praise for the way we go about trying to play football but this was about rolling up the sleeves. We were playing against a physical side and if we were not up for it they would run over the top of us."

Hearts coachValdas Ivanuaskas was content with a point but insisted he will seek to reinforce his already bulging squad with a top-class striker in the New Year.

He said: "We deserved to win, especially in the second half when we created so many chances. On the plus side we didn't lose any goals so we go into next year with confidence.

"I think we are strong enough for second place. The lack of goals is a problem and we need to make some changes. It's important to have a big squad as you play every three days but we need quality not quantity."

MAN OF THE MATCH

James Fowler (Kilmarnock)

MATCH STATS

POSSESSION

56% 44%

SHOTS ON TARGET

1 3

SHOTS OFF TARGET

8 9

CORNERS

4 9

FOULS CONCEDED

13 12

OFFSIDES

2 2

KILMARNOCK

MAN BY MAN

Graeme Smith: Looked hesitant at times but made great save from Bednar. 6

Garry Hay: Reliable at left-back. Didn't let much get past him. 6

Grant Murray: Prefers more central role but doing decent job at right-back. 7

Simon Ford: Made some crucial blocks and timely interceptions. Took a few hefty knock for his troubles. 7

Gordon Greer: Shaping into one of the SPL's better centre-halves. Rock solid. 8

James Fowler: A bundle of energy in middle of the park. Showed no effects of flu virus he's been struggling with. 8

Steven Naismith: Good in flashes and unlucky not to get on scoresheet. 6

Gary Wales: Clever running caused Hearts problems. Missed glorious chance at death. 6 Peter Leven: Emergency striker didn't look comfortable playing the role. 5

Allan Johnston: Slow into stride but imperious after the break. 8

Danny Invincibile: Did decent job defensively but rarely seen in attacking sense. 5

Sub: Andrew Barrowman - looked lively enough, 3.

HEARTS

MAN BY MAN

Craig Gordon: Appeared to carry Naismith header over the line but got away with it. 6

Robbie Neilson: Rarely plays a bad game. Another competent display 6

Takis Fyssas: Reliable at back and a real threat overlapping on left. 7

Christophe Berra: Doesn't look as confident without Pressley by his side although got better as game went on. 7 Bruno Aguiar: Impressive box-to-box shift from one of the most under-rated performers in the squad. 7

Saulius Mikoliunas: Started brightly before diving antics took over. 4

Andrius Velicka: Worked hard to create a few chances for himself but failed to stick them away. 6

Marius Zaliukas: Comfortable with everything Killie threw at him. 7

Paul Hartley: Put off-field situation behind him to produce impressive display. 7 Andrew Driver: Out of traps quickly but faded after the break. 6

Michal Pospisil: Virtually anonymous. 4 Subs: Roman Bednar - missed three great chances, 4. Juho Makela - thrown on with a few minutes left, 1.

MOMENT THAT CHANGED THE GAME:

When no goal was given as Gordon seemed to carry Naismith's effort over line.

Taken from the Daily Record