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As the proclaimed third force in Scottish football, Hearts have followed the example set by the Old Firm and now play their Under 21 matches at a new dinky wee stadium nowhere near their own - in their case Stirling Albion's Forthbank Stadium. A fair distance from Tynecastle it may be, but, as it happens, it's about 10 minutes drive from my house, thus making your intrepid reporter's Monday evening that bit easier to negotiate. I reckon Killie should start playing under 21 matches at Hamilton's new abode, for no other reason than to let me cross another one off the list, but I digress.

I'm afraid this report may be a little less detailed than previous dispatches for a couple of reasons. Firstly it would appear that Hearts' renting of the Binos' ground doesn't stretch as far as getting to use the photocopier so no team sheets were on offer. In fact when I asked the girl at the desk if she had one she just looked at me and smiled, shaking her head in a way that said "you really are that sad, aren't you?" without the need for words. Secondly, the match was shite.

Killie's starting eleven was notable for the inclusion of Gary McSwegan (one of the three hauled off at half-time during Saturday's debacle) - a sure sign that he's being asked to pull his proverbial socks up. Unfortunately he spent most of the 90 minutes giving the watching Jim Jefferies a list of additional reasons not to play him against Livingston. Craig Samson took the number 1 jersey in place of François Dubourdeau which means either the big Frenchman is being saved for Saturday or he's injured. My ear wasn't close enough to the ground to find out. Starting again, too, were recent signings Gordon Greer (in a back three with Hessey and Dillon) and Rhian Dodds, who partnered Canning and McDonald in midfield.

Overall the team worked very hard - especially the defensive and midfield trios - but showed little inspiration or confidence for that matter. I'd like to tell you we had a shot at goal, but I'm fairly certain we didn't have one. For their part, Hearts huffed and puffed without really going anywhere. There really only was one highlight in the game and that came in the 56th minute with Greer barging some impish Hearts forward over for a penalty. Kirk smacked it and Samson saved it. End of drama.

With Jefferies showing public dissatisfaction over the performance against Hearts at Rugby Park, this game provided the perfect platform for several players to stake a claim to be included at City Stadium this weekend. Of the usual suspects, Di Giacomo, McDonald, and the aforementioned McSwegan, did themselves no favours. If there's a more frustrating player than Jacko then I've yet to see him. The boy has bags of skill and a bit of pace to match, but can he pass? Er, no. And sometimes I'm convinced he simply can't be bothered with reserve football. Not an attitude to endear you to the manager I'd suspect.

If you're looking for candidates for Saturday's team sheet then Hessey and Dillon could well come into the reckoning. Greer, too, looks to have something (this partly though is a tendency to remind me of Derek Anderson which is not wholly a good thing). It's also the best I've seen Rhian Dodds play so he may be the wild card in Saturday's pack. Might make up for some of the jokers we've been dealt recently….

One last footnote about Forthbank: it was free to get in and you get to enter the stadium via the players dressing rooms and the tunnel. Quality. I still didn't find a team sheet though.

Hearts: No idea though don't much care. Did spot Kirk, McCann, Boyack and Hartley though.

Kilmarnock: Samson , Masterton (Naismith 75), Dillon, Greer, Hessey, McGuinness, McDonald, Canning, Dodds, Di Giacomo, McSwegan.
Subs (not used): These wee guys are starting to all look the same to me. I'm sure Boyle was there but that's about it.

Kilmarnock MOTM: Sean Hessey