Hearts 0-2 Kilmarnock

May 11 2008 Brian Welsh At Tynecastle

DELIGHTED Killie boss Jim Jefferies celebrated his side's first away win since September and hopes it lays down a marker for next season. Former Hearts defender Grant Murray headed the visitors in front late on against a home side who offered next to nothing.

Paul Dalglish then enhanced his chances of earning a permanent deal by setting up sub Paul di Giacomo for the killer second to end Killie's wretched record on the road.

Victory was welcome respite from a season of gloom and Jeff said: "Hearts were better in possession in the first half but never caused us any problems.

"In fact their keeper was troubled by Paul's crosses. But after the break we were the better team all the way.

"We will have a look at Paul next week and I hope the pain of this season might be the driving force for us next year.

"This one has been so bad the players won't want to go through it again."

Jambos made five changes from the team beaten at Falkirk last Monday with skipper Christophe Berra, a booking away from missing the start of next season, not risked.

Simon Ford declared himself fit for Kilmarnock and his central defensive partner David Lilley had the first chance in four minutes but his left-foot shot looped over.

Hearts responded with a fine run from Deividas Cesnauskis who would have tested Alan Combe from the edge of the box had it not been for an excellent block by Ford.

Young Player of the Month Gary Glen showed some nice touches early on and a neat header gave Laryea Kingston a sight of goal but again the final effort was off target.

Ford motored back to rescue his side in 18 minutes when a last-ditch slide tackle robbed Eggert Jonsson as he looked to pull the trigger.

While Hearts were dominating possession too often they picked thewrong ball in the final third and Killie looked dangerous on the counter attack mainly through Dalglish's incisive running down the right.

Kingston came closer with a volley just before the half hour and sent in a pacy free-kick Marius Zaliukas could only glance wide.

A sudden thunderstorm created a slippy surface that may have contributed to Lilley's mistake late in the half that almost gifted Hearts the lead.

He surrendered possession to Jonsson deep in his own half and the Iceland international played in Fernando Screpis who should have done better than fire straight at Combe. Killie burst into life though with Dalglish, James Fowler and Mehdi Taouil all just missing the target in a five-minute blitz after the restart.

Hearts were in dire need of inspiration and Kingston tried to oblige with a positive forward run then a drive from distance thatwas a couple of feet too high.

Moments later lone striker Glen finally got a glimpse of goal when Michael Stewart's miscued shot fell at his feet inside the box but the youngster slipped while shooting and skied the ball into the stand.

Frustrated Stephen Frail made a couple of changes, including sending Jamie Mole up front to partner Glen, but still the home side were flat.

On the rare occasions there was a quality delivery they were faced with a determined Killie defence, marshalled superbly by Ford.

And Jambos' misery was compounded when the away side broke the deadlock 16 minutes from time with the most simple of goals.

Murray raced to the front post to meet a David Fernandez corner and with keeper Steve Banks nowhere his header sailed into the empty net.

Worse was to come for Frail's side nine minutes later as Killie sealed the points.

Di Giacomo fed Dalglish out wide and continued his run to side foot home unmarked when a perfect low cross was delivered.

That sparked a mass exodus of the home support disillusioned by a campaign of despair.

REF WATCH

MIKE TUMILTY won't have many easier days. Fernandez copped the only yellow. Rating: 8/10.

Taken from the Sunday Mail