Kilmarnock 0-2 Hearts

This was yet another in what is now a long run of home games which Killie have dominated, made chances, but failed to score. And as Charles Dickens may have said, unfortunately it's the team as scores as is the team as wins, and at the end today, Rugby Park was a Bleak House for the Killie supporters who would have to endure the howling gale and driving rain on their way home.

After a bright start, with Killie on top, the game did go off the boil a bit, and chances were few and far between in the middle part of the half, as the wind made the playing conditions very difficult. A decent early reverse pass from Taouil gave Bryson some space, but Thomas got back well to recover. Hay, Taouil and Fernandez were working well up the left but without any real product being forthcoming, and when Fernandez sprung Invincibile, the keeper was quick to block the Australian's shot.

Hearts were only causing problems from set pieces, with corners swinging in on the wind causing a few heart flutters, but when two terrific chances came Killie's way, they spurned them both. The first came when Fernandez sprung the offside trap, only to shoot wildly over, as the ball appeared to bobble just as he hit it, then a magnificent cross from Hay found Invincibile at the back post, only for him to head wide with the goal gaping. Pascali did have another headed chance at the back post but McDonald smothered it, and although Killie bossed the half, it was nil-nil at half time.

The second half started in the same way, with Killie having most of the play, but unable to convert chances. Invincibile did give the ball away early in a dangerous position, and Ford had to be smart to block Driver's shot, but although Killie were soon back round the Hearts' goal, they couldn't make it count. Hearts took the lead against the run of play with their first flowing move of the game, and when Stewart sent in an accurate cross at the end of it, Aguiar finished with aplomb.

Killie could, and should, have equalised within a minute, when Hay sent a great cross to the back post, but Russell shot wide. Their profligacy was punished when Hearts made it two in the 80th minute. Berra headed a free kick back across Killie's penalty area, and Karipidis had the easiest of jobs to head past Combe. With 5 minutes left it almost became a comedy when Pascali, under no pressure, passed inside to Nade, and Combe did well to deny the big striker.

As Killie became more despondent, players became shot-shy, and were trying to create the perfect opportunity, and of course, like tomorrow, that never comes. Afterwards, Jim Jefferies was once again frustrated at the loss, because we were always the better side, playing the better football. He couldn't fault the players, in fact he felt sorry for them, because the chances were being made but not put away. The message seems to be - keep the faith.

Kilmarnock: Combe, Fowler, Hay, Wright, Ford, Bryson, Russell (Simmonds), Taouil, Invincibile (Gibson), Fernandez, Pascali

Hearts: McDonald, Neilson, Berra, Karipidis, Aguiar (Glen), Driver (Cesnauskis), Nade, Obua, Thomas, Jonsson, Stewart

Referee: Charlie Richmond