Kilmarnock and Hearts gave new Scotland coach Berti Vogts the hope and
the passion he is craving with an entertaining six-goal thriller at Rugby Park.
But it is Hearts manager Craig Levein who will be the happiest
after his side scored twice in the final nine minutes to snatch a draw from the
jaws of defeat.
The home side had responded to Stephane Mahe's stunning first-half strike to
all but wrap up victory with goals from Craig Dargo, Tommy Johnson and Stephen
Murray.
But Hearts had other ideas as Steven Pressley gave them hope from the penalty
spot before substitute Tommi Gronlund's deflected shot gave them a share of the
points.
The result was fair on both sides and one look at the video of this incredible
tussle and will show Scotland's new coach he is not facing a mission
impossible.
Both sets of players enhanced their growing reputations and although they are
unlikely to be in Europe next season, they will surely be fighting in the top
half of the table after the split.
Hearts started the brighter as Scott Severin flashed a left-foot volley just
past the post after 40 seconds with goalkeeper Gordon Marshall struggling to get
across.
The home side, however, settled down quickly and carved out a good chance in
the fifth minute.
Stephen Murray cut in from the left flank and played the ball into space for
Tommy Johnson, but his cross was just a shade behind Craig Dargo and Mahe was
able to make a vital clearance.
Marshall needed to be alert just two minutes later to save from his own player
as a horrified Peter Canero connected beautifully with Adam's centre.
The game was flowing from end to end and it was the turn of the home side to
go close in the eighth minute.
Garry Hay's free-kick broke to Mahood in the box and his effort took a
deflection to spin just wide of the post.
Space opened up for James Fowler in the 11th minute and he pulled off a low
left-foot shot which took an awkward bounce in front of Antti Niemi, but he
managed to save it.
Kilmarnock again went close to opening the scoring in the 22nd minute when the
ball broke to Canero in the box from Murray's corner and he controlled and
blazed his shot just over.
Both teams continued to entertain as Niemi comfortably saved Johnson's low
shot before Marshall denied Mahe, who had stunned himself by bursting into the
Kilmarnock area.
Despite their laid back and dour demeanour away from matchday, both managers
began to get fairly animated on the touchline as the referee decided it was time
to have his say.
Kenny Clark refused to let the game flow and made some poor decisions that
threatened to kill the entertainment.
But Mahe had other ideas and fired Hearts in front in the 40th minute with
wonderful piece of control and finishing.
Maybury spotted the Frenchman in space and found him with a great pass on the
left side of the box and he cut inside Fowler before unleashing a stunning
right-foot shot past Marshall.
But Clark was not happy with his celebration and proceeded to book him before
also showing Webster the yellow card for a foul.
Kilmarnock tried to hit back before the break and Hay's intended cross stunned
Niemi by shaving the crossbar.
Whatever Kilmarnock boss Williamson said in the dressing room at the interval
certainly worked as Kilmarnock drew level through Dargo just a minute after the
restart.
The visitors were just settling down as Ally Mitchell's cross was directed
past Niemi from close range.
That woke Hearts up and they went close to regaining the lead just a minute
later when Adam got on the end of Mahe's cross, but he failed to get the right
contact.
The home side clearly had the initiative and Hearts' misery was compounded in
the 52nd minute when Kilmarnock took the lead.
McGowne knocked Murray's cross into the danger area and Johnson finished
clinically with a powerful left-foot strike.
Hearts made a double substitution in the 64th minute to rescue the game with
Adam and Webster being replaced by the fresh legs of Paul McMullen and
Gronlund.
But that had the opposite effect as the home side increased their advantage
just two minutes later in brilliant fashion.
Youngster Murray played a neat one-two from the corner with Dargo to give
himself the angle and he curled a wonderful left-foot shot past Niemi.
Graham Weir also came on for Wales in the 70th minute and he played a key role
in bringing Hearts back into the game.
Marshall was adjudged to have fouled the youngster in the box and Steven
Pressley dispatched the kick emphatically home.
That lifted the visitors and they stunned the home crowd with just five
minutes remaining when Gronlund's shot took a wicked deflection and looped over
Marshall and into the net.
Teams:
Kilmarnock: Marshall, Canero, Hessey, McGowne, Hay, Fowler,
Mahood, Mitchell, Murray (McLaren 84), Dargo, Johnson (Boyd 71).
Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Innes, McDonald.
Booked: Marshall.
Goals: Dargo 46, Johnson 52, Murray 66.
Hearts: Niemi, Maybury, Pressley, McKenna, Mahe, Flogel,
Simmons, Severin, Webster (Gronlund 65), Adam (McMullan 64),
Wales (Weir 71).
Subs Not Used: McKenzie, Boyack.
Booked: Mahe, Webster.
Goals: Mahe 40, Pressley 83 pen, Gronlund 86.
Att: 7,138
Ref: K Clark (Scotland).
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