Jambos keep it tight to earn a point

Published Date: 20 August 2011
By BARRY ANDERSON AT RUGBY PARK
HEARTS secured a point and a clean sheet in Ayrshire in a commendable recovery from Thursday night's Europa League defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur.

They were made to work by an energetic Kilmarnock side and hit the crossbar in the first half through Stephen Elliott's header. In the end, a point would have restored some confidence ahead of the midweek journey to White Hart Lane.

Elliott had the ball in the net late in the second half but the attempt was disallowed as the Irishman was offside. Hearts grew stronger the longer time went on and Kilmarnock's indecision in defence was evidence of chinks in their armour. But the final whistle arrived with both teams settling for a draw.

Kilmarnock's bullish start to the game took Hearts aback as the hosts dominated possession and tested the visiting defence.

The pace of striker Paul Heffernan and midfielder James Dayton caused relentless problems right from the opening minute, when Adrian Mrowiec was cautioned for hauling Heffernan down as he sprinted off towards goal.

It took Hearts 30 minutes to apply any concerted pressure on Cameron Bell's goal. Andy Driver's corner amounted to little but, from a 20-yard free-kick moments later, Hamill forced Bell to push his swerving shot over the crossbar.

On 37 minutes came the greatest sign of Hearts' attacking potential when Driver's run and subsequent cross from the left was headed powerfully against the Kilmarnock crossbar by Elliott.

That period reinvigorated the Edinburgh side and they finished the opening 45 minutes in the opposition half probing for an opening. Kilmarnock were without the injured Ryan O'Leary at the start of the second half but still fashioned the clearest opening on 54 minutes.

Full-back Rory McKeown supplied a low cross into the path of Gary Harkins, however his first-time finish was high and wayward.

The match was by now swaying from end to end. One moment Hearts would break forward, then the instant their move broke down they would find themselves swamped by Kilmarnock.

It made for decent entertainment even if the quality of passing was not always good.

Bell produced two outstanding stops to deny Hearts an opening goal on 63 minutes. Patrick Ada was penalised for holding Elliott 25 yards from goal and Grainger rasped the resultant free-kick off the goalkeeper's palms.

Ryan Stevenson followed up and looked certain to convert the rebound, but Bell recovered instantly to smother the second attempt too.

Stevenson, from an advanced midfield position, was enjoying an increasing influence on the proceedings. David Templeton and Rudi Skacel were introduced to supplement his energy, although Hearts survived a strong penalty appeal 16 minutes from time.

Dayton attempted to outrun Grainger and, as the full-back leaned in, Dayton fell to ground with home supporters howling in anger. Referee Calum Murray ignored the claims.

Kilmarnock began looking anxious as the closing stages arrived, whilst Hearts sensed the chance for a winning goal. Elliott had the ball in the net on 83 minutes but was judged offside following Skacel's shot. That was the last genuine opportunity, and the final whistle sounded with both teams having cancelled each other out.

Kilmarnock (4-1-4-1): Bell; Buijs, O'Leary (Fowler 46), Ada, McKeown; Pascali; Dayton, Kelly, Harkins (Galan 59), Shiels; Heffernan. Subs: Jaakkola, Clancy, Hay, Racchi, Fisher.

Hearts (4-1-4-1): Kello; Hamill, Webster, Zaliukas, Grainger; Mrowiec; Stevenson, Robinson (Skacel 70), Obua, Driver (Templeton 54); S Elliott (Sutton 86). Subs: MacDonald, Jonsson, Novikovas, Prychynenko.

Referee: Calum Murray.

Attendance: 5328.

Taken from the Scotsman