Kilmarnock 0 Hearts 0

Aug 22 2011 By Craig Swan

CAMMY BELL denied Hearts with a wondrous double save but reckons it's better to be lucky than good after an earlier blunder almost dropped his side in it.

The keeper secured a point with a sensational twin block midway through the second half.

Danny Grainger's free-kick was beaten out by Bell but the Hearts fans behind the goal rose to acclaim a winner as midfielder Ryan Stevenson pounced on the rebound.

The former Ayr star fired the loose ball at the target but the Killie hero somehow blocked from point-blank range to deny the Jambos maximum points.

Stevenson booted the woodwork in frustration and Bell said: "I saw Ryan after the game and he told me he couldn't believe I had saved it.

"On another day he would have put it away and I rode my luck.

"Grainger's free-kick was a horrible one to deal with due to the movement on the ball. It was unbelievable so it was just a case of trying to keep it out.

"I was fortunate that the second effort was within my reach and I was able to get both hands to it. It was a good save but one I needed to deal with."

However, Bell smiled as he recounted how another set-piece in the first period had almost made him sinner before he turned saint.

Former team-mate Jamie Hamill, on his return to Rugby Park, floated in a free-kick that looked to be a simple catch for the keeper.

But Bell lost his concentration and fumbled the effort through his fingers. He then looked up in relief as the ball dropped just over.

Bell joked: "I'm not talking about that! Seriously, that was my fault. A lack of concentration.

"I told our goalkeeping coach Billy Thompson it was better to be lucky than good. I was fortunate it went over. Hopefully, I won't be doing that too many times this season."

Bell deserved his moment of fortune having made other good saves to keep Hearts at bay.

Kenny Shiels' team made a sharp opening with Liam Kelly driving forward from midfield and James Dayton trying to get at Tynecastle full-back Grainger.

Kelly orchestrated their best chance with a through ball for Paul Heffernan before continuing his charging run into the box.

Gary Harkins and Dean Shiels were also waiting for a measured pull-back but the striker squirted a wasteful cross over their heads.

Bell had dealt with shots from Scott Robinson and Driver - as well as that nervous moment from Hamill's free-kick - but he was helpless as Hearts almost secured an interval lead. Stephen Elliott's movement to meet Driver's cross was good and the glancing header even better - but the bar denied the Irish forward.

Despite losing Ryan O'Leary to a sickening cruciate ligament injury, Killie remained on top after the break and Harkins sent a half-volley over on the stretch.

But Hearts finished strongly and boss Paulo Sergio, right, thought his team would win it only for Bell to produce his double dose of heroics.

Sub Rudi Skacel also dragged a terrific late chance wide and Elliott fired past Bell only to see his effort ruled out for offside.

But Killie managed to hang on and preserve their unbeaten start to the SPL season. Bell said: "We're disappointed we didn't take more than a point but a draw was possibly fair. We made a lot of chances against Hibs last week but lacked a cutting edge this time.

"However, we'll take a draw as Hearts are a good team."

Boss Shiels admitted the Jambos deserved a point but thought ref Calum Murray should have given his side a second-half penalty.

Dayton's contest with Grainger was an intriguing feature of the game and Killie fans screamed for a spot-kick when he charged past the full-back and hit the deck.

Grainger's arm was out and Shiels felt Murray should have pointed to the spot. He said: "We should have been awarded a penalty. The Hearts defender had his arm out but the problem for officials is that Dayton is so light and willo the wisp when he goes past people.

"He goes over because he is so light when an arm goes on him, so the first impressions are that it is a dive. However, it was certainly a penalty from where I was standing."

Despite that setback and the blow of losing key defender O'Leary, Shiels was determined to take the positives from another game without defeat.

Killie played plenty of decent football only to fail in the final third with some slack passing and finishing.

Shiels, though, was also well aware he needed that stunning double save from Bell to avoid defeat.

And he paid tribute to Hearts for the way they charged forward at the finish - despite their punishing Europa League runaround from Spurs just three days earlier.

He said: "Hearts gave as good as they got and played with determination. They gave us what for in the last 10 or 15 minutes. We struggled to get out but produced the most quality overall.

"We're undefeated after facing Dundee United, Motherwell, Hibs and Hearts. They are four big clubs."

Taken from the Daily Record