Stephen Elliott nets just in time

They camped out in their hosts' half for long periods of the second half but, having carved out few clear-cut chances, that lack of a cutting edge might have demoralised some sides. But, in the last 17 minutes, substitute Stephen Ellott struck twice, while goalkeeper Marian Kello pulled off a wonderful save to ensure their side remain on the coat-tails of Celtic and Rangers.

It was not the dream outcome the home side had envisaged as they hoped that keeping hold of a star player would be as influential as buying one in during the transfer window. Kilmarnock had resigned themselves to the loss of top scorer Conor Sammon when he travelled down to Scunthorpe, a massive wage hike in the offing. But he decided to turn his back on a move to the Championship side and, while that may only be a temporary respite for the Ayrshire outfit with other clubs weighing up a bid for the Irishman, who has netted 16 times already this term, last night he was back in the Killie strip and warming a seat on the bench.

He had called his manager Mixu Paatelainen on his way back north yesterday asking to be involved and his very presence at Rugby Park lifted the mood. On the pitch, his replacement, Rui Miguel was keen to prove that, while Sammon may be available, there is still competition for the forward role, while the crowd greeted him like a hero, applauding him every time he emerged from the dug-out to warm up.

Since this pair last met, talk has been of the impressive form of Hearts. Only one defeat in 10 games was worthy of plaudits but Killie have been no slouches themselves. That 3-0 victory over Jim Jefferies' men at Tynecastle in October had sparked a run of 12 games blighted by only two defeats against Rangers. While Hearts have been intent on pegging back the Old Firm, Killie have been quietly going about their business and moved from the bottom of the table into the chase for third place.

Much of that has been couresty of Sammon's goals but he would be the first to admit that it has been the creativity of the men behind him who have laid on the chances. Last night Alexei Eremenko was the provider again, Kilmarnock's advantage in the midfield driven home at the opening goal.

Ian Black, who has been one of Hearts' best performers of late was robbed of possession in the 18th minute and the Finnish playmaker squared for Miguel to drill low into the bottom corner.

It was a start that could have been predicted by those who had seen the sides square up earlier this season. That day Kilmarnock had ripped the capital side apart. It was also the kick up the backside Hearts boss Jefferies had claimed his team needed. On this evidence it's not another boot up the rear end that that is required, but another striker. Having under-performed in the opening 45 minutes they were obviously invigorated by their manager's half-time talk but, for all the extra endeavour, there was not a glut of shots on target.

This cluster of games was heralded as the time when Hearts would either underline or undermine their credentials. Having stumbled to defeat in the Scottish Cup last midweek, this was the first chance they had to try to make amends for that but, although Lee Wallace made a welcome return, making his first appearance in the maroon since August, it was the absence of Kevin Kyle which proved more telling. The former Kimarnock striker has a groin injury and, with Rangers heading to Tynecastle on Saturday, he wasn't risked. Without him so many of the ills which bedevilled Hearts last season tormented them again. David Obua was an impotent force up front and it was only when Elliott entered the fray that Hearts got their reward. In the 73rd minute Elliott buried an effort from 12 yards out and then, amid a flurry of activity at both ends when the bar and then Kello denied Kilmarnock, the Hearts striker doubled his tally, capitalising on errors in the Killie defence to send the winner past Cammy Bell with three minutes left.

Kilmarnock: Bell, Clancy, Sissoko, Wright, Hay, Fowler (Silva 84), Kelly, Pascali, Eremenko, Taouil (Berntsson 65), Rui Miguel (Sammon 70). Subs: Jaakkola, Old, Gross, Kennedy.

Hearts: Kello, Jonsson, Bouzid, Zaliukas, Wallace, Palazuelos, Black (Stevenson 63), Mrowiec, Novikovas (Elliott 46), Obua (Glen 62), Templeton. Subs: MacDonald, Barr, McGowan, Craig Thomson.

Taken from the Scotsman