Hearts goalkeeper Gilles Rousset was saint and sinner as Kilmarnock scored a
narrow win at Rugby Park.
Rousset was to blame for the single goal that handed victory to Killie, but
also pulled off a string of excellent saves to keep the deficit down.
Gary Holt was the Killie goal hero with only his second strike of the season
that consolidated his side's second spot in the Premier League.
The game began in atrocious conditions with driving rain and hail making good
play almost impossible.
Hearts opened in determined fashion facing a strong wind and had the home side
under a bit of pressure.
Gary McSwegan set up an early chance for Gary Locke on the edge of the box but
the Hearts skipper shot well wide of the goal.
But gradually Kilmarnock took a grip on the game forcing several corners in
quick succession.
An Ian Durrant corner from the left evaded both the Hearts defence and the
Killie attack but Rousset did well to spot the danger and grab the ball.
Rousset again came to his side's rescue in 11 minutes when he produced a
terrific save from Paul Wright from eight yards out.
With Killie in control Ally Mitchell fired another dangerous ball across the
visitors goal but again there were no takers.
There was a brief scare for the Kilmarnock defence when Gus MacPherson was
shot with a pass-back and Marshall had to race from his goal to clear.
But soon Killie were back on the attack and they eventually got the
breakthrough they deserved in 27 minutes.
Ally McCoist and Martin Baker laid a neat one-two inside the box and when
Rousset fumbled the defender's cross Holt was in the right place to bundle the
ball over the line.
The goal stung Hearts into action but the home defence looked more than
capable of dealing with the lack lustre attack.
Hearts' best chance of the first half fell to Steve Fulton four minutes before
the interval when he was sent clear by Thomas Flogel but the midfielder took too
long to shoot and was denied by Marshall's legs.
In the second half Hearts, backed by a strong wind, enjoyed more possession
and it was the Kilmarnock defence that found itself under pressure.
McSwegan came close in 67 minutes when he shot into the side net following a
Fulton corner.
Nine minutes from time Rousset pulled off another good save when he dived to
his right to hold Holt's header from a Baker cross.
Teams
Kilmarnock: Marshall, MacPherson, Baker, Montgomerie, McGowne,
Reilly, Mitchell, Durrant (Mahood 78), McCoist (Roberts 74),
Wright (Henry 86), Holt.
Subs Not Used: Lauchlan, Strain.
Goals: Holt 27.
Hearts: Rousset, Pressley, McKinnon, Weir, McPherson, Locke,
Murray (Makel 82), McSwegan (Quitongo 74), Hamilton (Holmes 82),
Fulton, Flogel.
Subs Not Used: McKenzie, Horn.
Booked: Pressley, Murray, Flogel.
Att: 10,668
Ref: J Rowbotham (Kirkcaldy).
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