Hearts started positively and almost took an early lead when Saulius Mikoliunas squared the ball into the path of Dennis Wyness a few yards out.

Only the quick interception of David Lilley prevented the striker from scoring.

The Tynecastle side took the lead on 16 minutes, when Robbie Neilson's cross into the box was met by Wyness and he left goalkeeper Alan Combe with no chance when he nodded home from six yards. Killie boss Jim Jeffereis was clearly not happy as Wyness's was given a free header in the box!

Only the woodwork denied Hearts a second a few minutes later. Mikoliunaus threaded the ball through to Wyness and he produced a curling effort which smacked off the post.

Combe managed to kick the ball out of harm's way despite being on the ground before Liam Fontaine hooked the ball to safety.

Killie drew level after 25 minutes.

Dreadful defending was to blame when Allan Johnston was allowed to pick out the unmarked Colin Nish on the six-yard line and all that was required from the tall striker was to nod home from close range.

But Kilmarnock suffered a setback when Nish was forced out of the game five minutes before half-time.

He had his right wrist strapped up earlier in the game but the injury had clearly become more of a worry and he was replaced by Kris Boyd.

Boyd almost had an immediate impact on the tie when he was involved in a goal-mouth scramble and tried to stab the ball home, but Webster managed to clear the effort off the line.

Lee Miller then punted into the crowded box and the ball broke to Stephen Simmons who unleashed a 20-yard drive but the effort fell wide.

Andy Webster then played the ball through to Hartley and he was only denied by Combe.

The Kilmarnock goalkeeper was called into action a couple of minutes later and his save was as impressive as Jamie McAllister's thunderous shot.

Hearts found the back of the net just before the whistle, when Hartley embarked on a mazy run before releasing Miller into the box and he left Combe with no chance with a powerful point-blank shot.

Kilmarnock were unfortunate not to draw level again soon after the restart.

Leven sent an inviting corner into the box but Lilley was just off target with the header.

If the last 15 minutes were nail-biting stuff for Hearts then it was largely down to the heroics of Combe who was pulling out all the stops to keep his side in with a chance.

This time it was Wyness who fancied a shot at goal but he was no match for the keeper who dived to his right to punch clear at the near post.

Instead Hearts were hit with the sucker-punch when Kilmarnock grabbed the equaliser in the last minute.

An Alan  Combe free-kick was headed on by Kris Boyd into the path of substitute Steven Naismith who sent a right-footed drive past goalkeeper Craig Gordon to set up a replay on 16 February.

This was Naismith's first senior goal for Killie

Kilmarnock: Combe, Ford, Lilley, Fontaine, Johnston, McDonald, Locke (Naismith 62 mins), Leven, Nish (Boyd 38 mins) Invincibile (Murray 62  mins)

Subs: Smith & Fowler

Attendance: 10,308