Kilmarnock 1-0 Heart of Midlothian

Only a single goal from the penalty spot might give the impression that this was a dull Boxing Day affair in Kilmarnock. Nothing could be further from the truth. Liam Kelly's goal after 26 minutes was all that separated the teams at the end, and it was that tight, but this seemed more like a rip-roaring cup-tie of a game, than a standard league affair. And for good measure, at the end, Killie had moved into the top half of the table.

Both teams went for it from the off, and Bell had to be lively to save from Stevenson, but Killie were first to put the ball in the net.Heffernan fastened onto a through ball and fired home, but the assistant referee in front of the East Stand had his flag raised for a narrow offside decision. With 26 minutes gone though, they got one "for real". James Dayton had been a thorn in the side of the Hearts defence several times earlier, but a run into the box, a dipped shoulder and jink to the left drew Andy Webster into a rash challenge, which gave Mr McLean no option but to point to the spot. Liam Kelly drilled the ball low to MacDonald's right and put Killie ahead.

Heff

Before the break Dayton almost added to Hearts woes when he cut in from the left and unleashed a shot which the Hearts keeper couldn't hold, but managed to block away to safety. For Hearts, Gordon Smith had the ball in the net, but John Sutton had already been penalised for a foul. 1-0 to Kilmarnock at half time.

goal

Hearts brought out the kitchen sink with them after the interval, and threw everything at Kilmarnock to get the equaliser. Bell had a number of very good saves; a couple of them spectacular, and every Killie player put his body on the line for the cause. None more so than Cammy Bell, who dived head first to deny John Sutton as the striker raced in. The keeper needed some attention, but recovered, and pulled off yet more heroics as the home side continued to defy Hearts.

Cammy

A shot from Driver was touched over, a Taouil shot was saved, and Jamie Fowler had a great block, but it wasn't all one way traffic, as McDonald also had to save well from Dayton. Hearts kept trying right to the end, and that was highlighted by a late corner when even goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald was in the Killie box, but the danger was cleared, and a welcome three points stayed at Rugby Park.

The formation was unusual for Killie today, with Cillian Sheridan working up and down the right wing, defending as well as attacking, but with Pascali and Kelly in particular breaking things up in front of the back four, and, along with Borja and Johnson, being creative as well, this was an exciting, as well as a productive day.

Dayton

Boss for the day Jimmy Nicholl was a relieved but happy man at the end, and James Dayton in particular was pleased with his own performance, as well as the win. You can listen to them both at www.kicktalk.co.uk.

Kilmarnock: Bell, Fowler, Nelson, Kelly, Dayton (McKenzie), Sheridan, Heffernan (O'Leary), Perez (Johnson), McKeown, Pascali, Sissoko

Hearts: MacDonald, McGowan, Barr (Novikovas), Webster, Stevenson, Sutton, Taouil (Robinson), Driver, Smith (Paterson), Zaliukas, McHattie

Referee: Steven McLean