Kilmarnock 1 – 0 Hearts

Hearts stay backside of the Scottish Premiership after shedding 1-0 to 10-man Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

The hosts appeared to face an uphill job after defender Robbie Deas was despatched off within the opening 10 minutes for a powerful problem on Kenneth Vargas.

However Bruce Anderson’s penalty gave Killie the lead they usually may have added to it, with Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon making huge saves to disclaim Marley Watkins and David Watson.

Hearts hit the woodwork twice due to Musa Drammeh and Yan Dhanda however they have been disappointing in opposition to all 10 gamers.

Kilmarnock supervisor Derek McInnes made two modifications from the draw with Dundee United final day trip, introducing Bobby Wales and Watkins, whereas Craig Halkett and Drammeh got here on for Hearts, changing the injured Frankie Kent and the suspended Lawrence Shankland .

Hearts have been inches away from taking the lead after only a minute when Kilmarnock keeper Robby McCrorie missed a nook, permitting Drammeh to volley in opposition to the within of the put up.

The house crew have been doing effectively, however weren’t so fortunate moments later when Deas hit Vargas’ ankle closely.

Referee Don Robertson first issued a yellow card to the Killie defender earlier than altering him to purple after he was despatched on display by VAR Gavin Duncan.

It had been a busy begin to the sport for the referee and he was concerned once more after 1 / 4 of an hour by awarding Kilmarnock a penalty after James Penrice caught Joe Wright late within the nook of the field.

Anderson stepped ahead and calmly positioned the ball to Gordon’s left to provide Killie the lead.

Regardless of their numerical drawback, it was Kilmarnock who ought to have doubled their lead within the twenty eighth minute as Watkins was introduced on, however Gordon got here out and made a significant save.

Watkins got here shut once more within the fortieth minute when he latched on to Fraser Murray’s cutback, however Penrice made a significant block.

Hearts had been poor for the reason that purple card and Alan Forrest noticed a low effort simply saved by McCrorie late within the first 45 minutes.

Kilmarnock had the primary likelihood of the second half within the forty eighth minute as Brad Lyons superior and launched Watson, however the Killie substitute noticed his weak effort effectively saved by Gordon.

Kilmarnock had one other likelihood within the 54th minute when Watkins reduce the ball again for Liam Donnelly whose deflected shot squirmed agonizingly vast.

Hearts nonetheless appeared toothless and boss Neil Critchley made 4 modifications earlier than time, bringing on Liam Boyce, James Wilson, Jorge Grant and Dhanda.

Wilson nearly made an prompt impression when Cammy Devlin caught the Killie protection napping and reduce the ball away, however the younger striker noticed his shot blocked.

Kieran O’Hara had changed McCrorie within the house purpose at half-time and he was lastly referred to as into motion within the 73rd minute, going low to smother a low Penrice shot to security.

Substitute Dhanda thought he had salvaged some extent for the guests in added time, however his curling shot got here again off the crossbar as Kilmarnock secured a deserved victory.

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