Kilmarnock had been first to threaten when Garry Hay's 30-yard free
kick was easily handled by Jamie MacDonald in the Hearts goal after seven
minutes.
However, Hearts were also looking dangerous and Bruno Aguiar whipped in
a cross from the left that flashed across goal with David Obua lurking.
Home keeper Alan Combe was making his return from injury and he had Hay
to thank for clearing after failing to collect from Andy Driver's corner.
Kilmarnock could have taken the lead when Danny Invincibile scampered
into the box, but Hearts keeper MacDonald saved after Eggert Jonsson's
tackle.
The visitors survived another scare on the half-hour mark when attempts
from Frazer Wright, Craig Bryson and Danny Invincibile were blocked
following a corner.
Jim
Jefferies' side were piling on the pressure and should have gone ahead
when David Fernandez was played in by Bryson, but the Spaniard shot high
and well wide from the edge of the box with just the keeper to beat.
The Rugby Park men were well in command but squandered another
opportunity when Hay picked out Invincibile at the back post and he should
have at least hit the target instead of nodding wide.
There was a further effort on goal for Kilmarnock before half-time when
Manuel Pascali couldn't get any power on his header after Invincibile's
cross from the right.
Hearts, now with the wind at their backs, started strongly after the
interval but still could not trouble Combe and the increasingly
influential Fernandez came close from long range after cutting in
following a short corner.
The visitors took the lead in the 61st minute, though, after their
first incisive move of the game.
Stewart burst forward and exchanged passes with Aguiar before slipping
the ball inside to the Portuguese midfielder, who fired into the corner of
the net from 20 yards out.
Kilmarnock's Allan Russell sliced wide after Hay's cross had missed
everyone else and the striker then headed the ball away from goal after
Invincibile helped a corner into the danger area.
However, Hearts made Kilmarnock pay for their profligacy again as
Stewart sent in a free kick that Christophe Berra headed across goal for
Greek defender Karipidis to nod home 10 minutes from time.
They may even have added to their lead, but Combe blocked well from
Christian Nade after Pascali's misplaced pass had set up the Hearts
striker.
Sandy's Match Pic's are
HERE
