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A goal in the 29th min by Gary McSwegan ensured that Killie's slim Euro dream will live on for at least another week. A real battle was on display, there were 46 fouls, 12 cards shown, 6 yellow for Killie, & 2 red for Hearts. Throw in a couple of decent penalty claims for each side, and it should be fair to say that both sets of fans went home having got their monies worth!

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies knew his side had to defeat former club Hearts to have a realistic chance of finishing third this season and claiming a UEFA Cup spot.

The Jambos hold a seven-point lead over their hosts and would clinch the lucrative European slot with all three points at Rugby Park.

The Killie boss made two changes to the side which defeated Dundee last week.

Steve Fulton and Gary McDonald both returned from injury to start the game in place of Gary Locke, who failed a late fitness test, and Barry McLaughlin, who had to settle for a place on the bench.

Hearts head coach Craig Levein was without towering striker Mark de Vries with a hamstring strain.

But the Tynecastle boss, the Bank of Scotland Premier League manager of the month for April, was boosted by the news that Scott Severin was able to start, despite fears he would miss out with a neck injury.

Hearts brought a large travelling support to Rugby Park as they tried to finally end Kilmarnock's hopes of finishing third.

But, with both sides determined to take all three points, the opening spell proved to be a scrappy affair.

Hearts defender Andy Webster was lucky to escape a caution early on after he appeared to aim a kick at former Hearts man McSwegan.

The first real chance came after 10 minutes when referee Dougie McDonald handed Killie a free-kick just outside the 18-yard area.

Garry Hay took the set-piece but the effort was easily held by goalkeeper Moilanen.

Kilmarnock had another decent chance when McLaren released McSwegan down the right flank and he forced Moilanen into a good block at the near post to prevent his thunderous shot hitting the back of the net.

Hearts claimed a penalty after 17 minutes when Graham Weir was the victim of a late challenge by goalkeeper Gordon Marshall in the box.

No award was given and the young striker was able to continue after a couple of minutes of treatment.

But the game threatened to boil over two minutes later.

McSwegan was first to be booked for a tackle on Severin before Phil Stamp lashed out at Hay.

Referee McDonald would have been justified in showing him a red card but the former Middlesbrough midfielder escaped with a caution.

Kilmarnock had enjoyed the best of the chances and took the lead in the 29th minute.

Andy McLaren did well to beat two Hearts defenders before picking out Gary McSwegan in the box and he nodded the ball low into the back of the net.

Killie could have added another to their tally after 32 minutes when Alan Mahood played the ball through to James Fowler but Moilanen was quick to pounce off his line to clear before Fowler could pull the trigger.

Killie were clearly boosted by taking the lead and, even though Hearts began to push forward, the home side defended well and limited the chances made by Craig Levein's men before the interval.

Kilmarnock squandered a great opportunity to double their lead just a minute after the restart when Hay picked out McLaren six yards out with no-one near him, but the winger somehow put his shot wide. A real "sitter" missed!

He had another close-range chance a few minutes later after McSwegan played him in, but this time, Moilanen was able to save.

Phil Stamp hit a free-kick from the edge of the box but Gordon Marshall managed to block despite the shot taking a deflection.

Steven Boyack could have scored seconds after replacing Valois after Stamp set him up, but he was denied the leveller by a great save from Marshall.

Webster then did Hearts' hopes no good when he picked up his second booking for a challenge on McSwegan, but the visitors came close to netting the equaliser when McCann tried his luck at goal only to smash the ball into the sidenetting instead.

But McCann was shown a straight red card moments later for a rash challenge on the halfway line to put the final nail in Hearts' coffin.

Attendance: 9,091

Kilmarnock: Marshall, Fowler, Innes, Dindeleux, Canero, McLaren (Boyd 88), Mahood, Fulton, Hay, McDonald, McSwegan (Di Giacomo 88).

Subs Not Used: Stewart, McLaughlin, Murray.

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