Hearts well beaten in controversial match

KILMARNOCK 3
Wales (54)
Nish (62 pen)
Gibson (77)

HEARTS 1
Tall (90)

TEN-MAN Hearts succumbed to a comprehensive defeat against Kilmarnock after having striker Christian Nade ordered off and assistant coach Stephen Frail sent to the stand.

During a controversial afternoon in Ayrshire, goals from Gary Wales and Willie Gibson sandwiched Colin Nish's penalty as the Edinburgh side suffered their second successive loss despite a late header from Ibrahim Tall.

Nade was dismissed for lifting his hand to Kilmarnock's Frazer Wright in an off-the-ball incident before half-time, and Frail incurred the wrath of referee William Collum by protesting at the penalty.

Nade's dismissal was unquestionably the pivotal point in the match as it left his colleagues with an insurmountable second-half hurdle with ten men against 11. The 3-1 loss sees Kilmarnock leapfrog Hearts in the SPL table, leaving the Tynecastle side in eighth place.
CLOSE CONTEST: Ex-Jambo Gary Wales, who scored Kilmarnock's opening goal, wrestles with Christophe Berra. Picture: SNS

CLOSE CONTEST: Ex-Jambo Gary Wales, who scored Kilmarnock's opening goal, wrestles with Christophe Berra. Picture: SNS

Hearts supporters doubtless spent the pre-match build-up lamenting the loss of talismanic midfielder Larry Kingston to knee ligament trouble. The Ghanaian is doubtful for upcoming matches with Celtic and Hibs and his surprise replacement in the starting line-up was Juho Makela. Anthony Basso replaced the rested Steve Banks, with Ruben Palazuelos and Ibrahim Tall also returning.

Kilmarnock reinstated captain Garry Hay following injury and began lofting high balls at the visiting defence during the early stages. Hearts, though, appeared determined to play through their five-man midfield and Palazuelos in particular. In the 12th minute, Nade chested Jose Goncalves' left-sided cross and the Frenchman's ambitious overhead attempt was held by Alan Combe.

With the Hearts defence looking uncoordinated, and Jose Goncalves failing to cope with the physical presence and early running power of Danny Invincibile, Kilmarnock forced a corner on 25 minutes. From the set-piece, Invincibile's header was only just palmed away by Basso.

Five minutes later the hosts broke from a crowded midfield for James Fowler to drive a vicious shot inches past Basso's goal. Meanwhile, Hearts' attacking intentions were being hindered by the deployment of only one striker as any forward movement from the visitors frequently resulted in Nade being crowded out.
CHEERIO: Killie fans wave Stevie Frail to the stands after the Hearts assistant coach was dismissed for protesting against the home side's penalty award. Picture: SNS

CHEERIO: Killie fans wave Stevie Frail to the stands after the Hearts assistant coach was dismissed for protesting against the home side's penalty award. Picture: SNS

The Frenchman's frustration was behind his 45th-minute dismissal for violent conduct. Kilmarnock centre-back Wright won an aerial duel with Nade before verbally criticising the robustness of the striker's challenge. Nade reacted by striking Wright in the face with his left hand and referee Collum had no hesitation in producing a red card.

Beginning the second half with ten men ensured a daunting task for Anatoli Korobochka's side. Juho Makela initially moved into attack but was soon replaced by Ricardas Beniusis, making his first appearance since a disappointing debut against Hibs in August.

Kilmarnock then made their superiority in numbers count. A glided ball towards the Hearts penalty area was glanced on by Nish and sublimely converted by the left foot of Wales, who derived particular delight from scoring against his former club.

Just after the hour the deficit doubled. Invincibile evaded Palazuelos on the right byline and saw his cross handled in the air by Robbie Neilson. As referee Collum awarded a penalty he found himself surrounded by Hearts players protesting that Neilson had been shoved in his aerial challenge with Nish. Frail was overly vocal for Collum's liking and was ordered to the stand, but by then Nish had slotted the penalty beyond Basso.

Kilmarnock's victory was secured after a calamitous third goal. Neilson slipped when receiving a pass from Basso and midfielder Gibson capitalised to roll the ball into the net with minimum fuss.

Tall nodded Andy Driver's late free-kick into the net for Hearts' consolation but the match ended in frustration for the visitors.

Kilmarnock (4-4-2): Combe; Lilley, Ford, Wright, Hay; Invincibile, Hamill, Fowler, Gibson; Wales, Nish. Subs: Harpur, Skora 86 (for Wales), O'Leary 66 (for Lilley), Bryson, Flannigan, Jarvis, Taouil 86 (for Gibson).

Hearts (4-5-1): Basso; Neilson, Tall, Berra, Goncalves; Makela, Stewart, Zaliukas, Palazuelos, Driver; Nade. Subs: Kurskis, McGowan, Jonsson 82 (for Stewart), Pospisil, Velicka, Mikoliunas, Beniusis 52 (for Makela).

Attendance: 6373.

Referee: William Collum.

Taken from the Scotsman