The visitors had the better of the early exchanges but fell behind after 31 minutes when Peter Leven steered a shot beyond Craig Gordon.

But, with 20 minutes remaining, Hearts drew level when Dennis Wyness was on hand to net a Ramon Pereira cross from close range.

Hearts finished the game strongly but could not find a second goal.

Hearts forward Kevin McKenna forced an eighth-minute save from Alan Combe at his near post after the Canadian had cut inside defender Simon Ford to gain a sight of goal.

At the other end, Leven fired in a fierce first-time effort which was blocked by Alan Maybury.

In the 14th minute Hearts striker Dennis Wyness turned on the edge of the box to fire in a low left-footed drive which Combe had to dive to his right to smother.

Killie had threatened only occasionally in the opening 25 minutes but Christophe Berra made a superb block to deny Craig Dargo after the striker had been set up in the box by a flick-on from Colin Nish.

Killie took the lead in the 31st minute through Peter Leven, who played a one-two with Gary McDonald to get into a shooting position on the left of the box.

The former Rangers man then coolly stroked the ball with the outside of his left foot across Craig Gordon and into the net from seven yards.

Killie substitute Gary Locke forced a save from Craig Gordon after winning the ball from Robbie Neilson and playing a one-two with Nish to set up a shooting chance from a similar position that led to the goal.

There was no gainsaying the effort and endeavour both put in. Hearts, in Paul Hartley, had the most impressive-looking player, beautiful touches, awareness to make space and strong runs, but Kilmarnock, in Simon Ford, had the most effective. It really is a mystery that this extremely accomplished player should have drifted from Grimsby to the darknesses of an Essex amateur league. He has pace, he is accomplished and cool – too much so at times, attempting tricks that might work on Hackney Marshes but not the SPL – and he can tackle with measured brutality. Plus he has a body swerve and close control that a midfielder would envy.

The first half ended with the home side on top and Danny Invincible tested Gordon with a well-struck curling effort.

Hearts' Patrick Kisnorbo headed across goal and just wide from a free-kick early in the second half.

And with 59 minutes on the clock the visitors threw on Mark de Vries and Ramon Pereira.

McDonald went close for Killie in the 65th minute when he slid in to meet an Allan Johnston free-kick from the left but found his connection too slight to beat Gordon.

Johnston was denied by Gordon, who palmed away his attempt to stroke a measured shot beyond him, with Nish having set up the chance.

But Hearts were on level terms when Wyness slotted home a close range equaliser after Pereira's low driven cross had picked him out at the back post.

The visitors finished the game strongly and Pereira forced a fine parry from Combe following a jink inside from the left.

The rebound fell invitingly for Neilson, but he blazed over and there was another narrow escape for the home side when Webster headed wide unchallenged from a corner.

Combe had to make another save to keep out a Wyness header but the home side held on for a point.

Invincibile had another chance blocked at the death but ultimately the draw was fair on both teams.

Kilmarnock: Combe, Lilley, Dindeleux, (Locke 16 mins), Greer, Ford,  Invincibile,  Leven, McDonald, Johnston, (Fowler 76 mins) Dargo, (Wales 72 mins) Nish

Subs: Smith, Fowler, Hay, Wales, Murray Naismith

Attendance: 6,129