Heart of Midlothian 0-1 Kilmarnock

From Hearts Media at Tynecastle

Ten man Hearts succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Kilmarnock in Saturday afternoon's Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at Tynecastle.

Ian Black's dismissal after just fifteen minutes of play put the Jambos on the back foot, before a Dean Shiels penalty early in the second half sealed the win for Kenny Shiels'men.

Despite last Sunday's defeat to Rangers, Sergio named an unchanged side for the third game running. The only alteration was on the bench, where Stephen Elliott took the place of Ryan McGowan.

Six points separated the two teams prior to kick-off, with both sides eager to recapture the fine form they enjoyed this time last year.

The home side looked the brighter of the two teams during the early stages and could well have been ahead inside three minutes had Danny Grainger's free kick found the net, his effort from 25 yards instead grazing Annsi Jaakkola's side netting.

Ryan Stevenson then went close with a header from six yards, before Ian Black's long range effort, aided by the blistering wind, narrowly evaded the top corner.

Black's encouraging start was soon undone, however, as a challenge on Shiels resulted in a straight red card on the fifteen minute mark.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, however, Hearts continued to push forward with both Rudi Skacel and Stevenson going close within minutes of Black's dismissal.

The Tynecastle faithful were soon on their feet again, this time in dismay after referee Alan Muir waved away a penalty appeal.The Ayrshire side soon began to settle into their signature passing game, utilising their extra man to stretch the home side. Despite enjoying the lion's share of possession, however, they were unable to breach a resilient maroon defence.

The Jam Tarts then went agonisingly close on the stroke of half time as Grainger's corner found the head of Stevenson who forced a spectacular one hand save from Jakkola.

Andy Webster and Adrian Mrowiec then made crucial blocks to deny the visitors a goal before the interval, in what was to be the last notable action of the first half.

The second period was five minutes old when Stevenson and Skacel combined on the edge of the Killie box, resulting in the latter unleashing a fierce shot from twenty yards which forced a fine save from the keeper.

Killmarnock then immediately instigated an attack of their own as Paul Heffernan was released inside the Hearts box, his subsequent foot race with Marius Zaliukas resulted in the striker falling to the ground during the challenge, leaving the referee with no choice but to award a penalty. Ex-Hibs midfielder Shiels duly stepped up and converted the spot kick to put the visitors in front.

Having taken the lead, Killie were content to sit tight, but their frequent counter attacks meant the Jambos were afforded space to attack, with Jamie Hamill going closest with a snap shot from the edge of the box.

Sergio then introduced Elliott for Stevenson on the hour mark, but breaking down Kenny Shiels's men was proving to be a formidable task. The Jambos struggled to make headway into the Killie box, their final ball all too often sniffed out by their opponents compact midfield.

Gordon Smith replaced Zaliukas with ten minutes remaining, and the home side almost levelled immediately as Jamie Hamill's cross from the right was scoffed over the bar by Manuel Pascali who was attempting a clearance. Webster then came within inches of levelling on the ensuing corner kick as he leapt to steer a bullet header wide of the left post.

Arvydas Novikovas entered the fray late on, but it was to no avail as Killie held on during the four minutes of added time to secure the three points.

Hearts: Kello; Hamill, Webster, Zaliukas(Smith 80), Grainger(Novikovas 88); Black, Mrowiec, Jonsson, Skacel, Templeton; Stevenson(Elliott 62). Subs not used: MacDonald, Taouil, Obua, Robinson.

Kilmarnock: Jakkola; Fowler, McKeown, Pursehouse(Silva 29), Sissoko; Kelly, Bujis(Racchi 71),Pascali, Shiels, Harkins; Heffernan. Subs not used: Letheren, Hay,Dayton, Kroca, Fisher.

Referee: Alan Muir

Top man: Andy Webster

Hearts World