A comfortable victory lifted Hearts to within three points of opponents Kilmarnock in the race for the UEFA Cup place given to the fourth-placed team in the Scottish Premier League.

The game only really came to life in the last 20 minutes courtesy of an incident which saw Kilmarnock goalkeeper Gordon Marshall red-carded by referee Garry Mitchell for handball.

Both sides were keen to bounce back from the disappointment of narrow Scottish Cup quarter-final defeats in this important fourth-versus-fifth clash.

Kilmarnock were first to threaten with a clever one-two on 10 minutes between Andy McLaren, who was returning from flu, and striker Paul Wright.

McLaren made a crossfield pass to Wright and then took an excellent return ball before hitting goalwards from 15 yards, with Steven Pressley doing well to deflect the ball for a corner.

Hearts were forced into a 22nd-minute substitution when Slovakian Robert Tomaschek pulled a hamstring and had to be replaced by Steven Boyack.

On 24 minutes Kieran McAnespie sent in a good cross with Kilmarnock's Garry Hay clearing from Pressley.

After Sunday night's Scottish Cup semi-final draw separating Celtic and Hibernian, that meant should both of the above sides contest the final then fourth place in the league would be rewarded with UEFA Cup qualification.

On 40 minutes McLaren stabbed the ball to Wright at the edge of the box and his low drive brought a brilliant diving save from Hearts keeper Antti Niemi, who tipped the shot round for a corner.

Hearts ended the first half by creating their first chance when Austin McCann darted down the left flank and sent in a precise cross which Thomas Flogel headed wide.

Hearts started the second half much more brightly than they had played in the first 45 minutes.

Three minutes after the break Andy Kirk sent in a good cross towards Flogel but Baker brilliantly cleared.

However, having done the hard job the defender proceeded to lose possession to Spaniard Juanjo, who shot home but fortunately for Baker the referee had blown for an infringement and the goal was disallowed.

After 51 minutes left-back McCann again created an opening for Hearts after another positive run down the left and yet another precise cross.

Frederic Dindeleux tried to head clear, then McAnespie tried an audacious acrobatic effort which flew just over the top.

Hearts were really beginning to up the tempo and on 66 minutes Juanjo's 20-yard shot was well held by Marshall.

Baker received a yellow card on 67 minutes for scything down Juanjo as he tried to run down the right flank.

Hearts brought on Gary McSwegan for Kirk on 69 minutes yet Kilmarnock went close on 71 minutes when Dindeleux headed a Mark Reilly corner over the top.

Then Hearts got the vital breakthrough on 72 minutes when Flogel played a neat one-two with McSwegan.

The Austrian international hit a 20-yard shot which deflected off a defender and landed in the bottom left corner, leaving Marshall helpless.

Three minutes later McSwegan ran through on goal and Marshall came out to save with his hands just outside his penalty box. After discussion with his assistant referee Mitchell gave Marshall a straight red card.

Killie quickly brought on substitute goalkeeper Colin Meldrum for defender Baker.

From the resultant free-kick caused by the incident Juanjo curled a beautiful left-foot shot into Meldrum's left corner.

Poor Meldrum had only been on the field seconds yet he saved his side twice by making saves inside the last 10 minutes.

Hearts finally got the third goal when Scott Severin fired home from close range inside stoppage time.

Teams

Hearts: Niemi, Neilson, Pressley, Murray, McCann, Juanjo (Kaczan 90), Severin, Tomaschek (Boyack 22), McAnespie, Flogel, Kirk (McSwegan 69).

Subs Not Used: McKenzie, Goldie.

Goals: Flogel 72, Juanjo 77, Severin 90.

Kilmarnock: Marshall, Baker (Meldrum 76), Dindeleux, Innes, Hay, Holt, Reilly, Mahood, Canero, McLaren (Di Giacomo 87), Wright (Cocard 78).

Subs Not Used: MacPherson, Davidson.

Sent Off: Marshall (75).

Booked: Baker.

Att: 9,195.

Ref: G Mitchell (Scotland).