Top six dream dies at Kilmarnock

Hearts fought out a 0-0 draw at Rugby Park and lost their chance to finish in the top six. The Ayrshire side had the better of Hearts in the first half but only thanks to a great display from Basso in goal did the visitors go in at half time on equal terms.

The second half saw Hearts come into it more and both Berra and Nade had chances to put Hearts ahead. Nade had the final chance though and Hearts were left ruing the striker's missed header deep into injury time as the game finished.

Hearts made three changes to the side that defeated Dundee United at Tynecastle last Saturday. Tall and Ivaskevicius came in for Zaliukas and Stewart, who dropped to the bench. Fernando Screpis made his first full start coming in for Eggert Jonsson who was suffering from the same virus that prevented Steve Banks form playing against Craig Levein's men.

Stephen Frail's men had a it all to play for as a win would keep them in contention for a top six place depending on what happens when Falkirk travel to Aberdeen on Monday. The sun was shining in Ayrshire and hopefully shining on the Jambos.

Fernando Screpis

Kilmarnock started the brighter of the two sides and had the best of the opening half hour. James Fowler had the first effort on goal of note with a fizzing shot goalward. Basso, however, saw the ball coming through the crowd of players in front of him and saved well. The Hearts defence stood up well to the onslaught from the home side and despite the fact that he was making his first start since 29th December Ibby Tall slotted back in well.

Basso had to be on alert for much of the first half with Killie carving out a decent number of chances to open the scoring. Danny Invincible was next to see his shot from close range saved by the feet of the Frenchman who had read the Australian well. Lilley then found himself in a great position in the penalty area and sent a looping header towards Basso's goal. The keeper was again up to the task as he plucked the ball from the air when it looked certain to nestle in the back of the net.

Hearts offered little up front and Killie keeper Combe did not have a save to make. Mikoliunas looked lively but on the occasions that he made it to the byline and whipped a cross in there was no one there to trouble the Killie defence.

Kestutis Ivaskevicius

There was a moment of controversy at the end of the half as Mikoliunas and Lilley both went in for the ball just outside the Killie penalty area. It looked as though Mikoliunas arrived a little late but it enraged the Kilmarnock players who all protested to referee Craig Thomson. He issued the Lithuanian with a yellow card. Frazer Wright also earned himself a yellow for somewhat over doing his protests. He'd regret that later.

Both teams returned unchanged after the interval with Hearts desparately needing to find away through the Killie defence and get on the score sheet. Captain Christophe Berra looked to have put Hearts on the way inside 10 minutes of the restart when he connected with a Larryea Kingston free kick and directed the ball towards the bottom corner. Combe had no chance but the ball just landed wide and out.

Ivaskevicius made way for youngster Gary Glen who made his first start of the season and then Larryea Kingston was also replaced by Mikey Stewart. The fresh legs seemed to give Hearts a renewed sense of purpose and tempo started to increase. Nade made a great run down the right hand side and cut in superbly to fire a shot low at Combe who saved the ball into the path of the on coming Palazuelos whose thundering shot came off Frazer Wright.

Kille started to come back into it however and Mehdi Taouil had a great chance to put them ahead with a looping shot from just inside the area. Basso was again Hearts' saviour as he saved superbly and kept the Jambos in the hunt.

Invincible forces Basso into making a good save

It was end-to-end stuff in the final minutes. Hearts had thrown on Calum Elliot and were essentially playing with three up front. Mikoliunas looked to be through on 90 minutes when Clancy brought him down and earned a yellow card.

Hearts continued on the goal trail and this time Wright brought down Nade when the striker was bearing down on goal. The former Stranraer man got his second yellow of the game and his marching orders.

It was all perfectly poised for Stewart's free kick. Basso and the entire Hearts team were in the box and as it dipped in, it found Nade unmarked at the back post.

The striker had time and space to pick his shot and instead of firing Hearts ahead, he headed the ball over the bar. The dream was over.

Kilmarnock: Combe; Clancy, Lilley, Wright, Hay; Bryson, Fowler, Locke ( Wales 73), Taouli (Hamill 88); Fernandez (Flannigan 73), Invincible. Booked: Wright, Hay, Clancy. Sent off: Wright. Subs not used: Harper, Gibson, Dalglish, O'Leary.

Hearts: Basso; Neilson, Tall, Berra, Goncalves; Kingston (Stewart 60), Palazuelos, Ivaskevicius (Glen 60), Screpis (Elliot 86), Mikoliunas; Nade. Booked: Tall, Mikoliunas, Berra. Subs not used: Banks, Husband, McGowan, Wallace.

Referee: Craig Thomson

Top man: Anthony Basso

Hearts World