Kilmarnock came from behind to earn a 2-1 victory at Tynecastle as Hearts slipped to the bottom of the William Hill Scottish Premiership.
The hosts went in at the break in front courtesy of Alan Forrest’s strike but Derek McInnes’ side scored two quick-fire goals through Matty Kennedy and Kyle Vassell.
The result saw the mini-revival under new Hearts head coach Neil Critchley suffer a setback in the Englishman’s fourth game in charge and they slipped below rivals Hibernian to the foot of the table.
It was a productive night’s work for Kilmarnock, however, as they climbed into the top six.
The hosts started brightly as they looked to continue their encouraging run of displays under Critchley.
Kenneth Vargas had a tame shot saved by Robby McCrorie inside two minutes before turning provider for Blair Spittal.
The midfielder’s low drive from the edge of the box was pushed around the post by the outstretched Killie goalkeeper.
Kilmarnock caused panic in the Hearts box in the 18th minute when Vassell got to the ball ahead of Craig Gordon from Danny Armstrong’s pass but Kye Rowles covered and conceded a corner as the ball bounced towards goal.
Cammy Devlin then saw a deflected effort bounce just wide before Killie responded at the other end.
Armstrong had a shot from Kennedy’s corner saved by Gordon before Joe Wright headed over from another Kennedy delivery.
But it was Hearts that went into the break in front after Forrest finished off a flowing move in the 44th minute.
Lawrence Shankland’s quick throw set Vargas free down the right and the forward picked out Spittal on the edge of the box.
Spittal played a deft pass into Forrest’s path and the winger fired a drive high into the net from close range.
Hearts kept coming at the start of the second half and after Malachi Boateng had a shot blocked from six yards Shankland fired just over.
Kilmarnock then seized control with two goals in five minutes.
Kennedy levelled with a controlled half volley inside the area after the ball broke to him from Vassell outmuscling Frankie Kent.
And the Hearts defending was questionable again as the visitors stormed ahead in the 63rd minute.
David Watson’s long throw into the area was not dealt with and Wright’s back-heel was picked up by Vassell with his back to goal just yards out.
Despite having Rowles for company the striker managed to swivel and smash the ball home.
Hearts threw on James Wilson, who scored the late equaliser in Sunday’s Edinburgh derby draw with Hibs, but Killie comfortably held on for the win.
Interim boss Stephen Frail expects Motherwell to appoint a new manager next week and admits their first job will be to lift the players’ confidence after a 3-0 mauling at home to Ross County.A double from Ronan Hale and Connor Randall’s last-minute strike secured an impressive victory for the Staggies at Fir Park.Defeat sees the Steelmen drop into the bottom half of the Premiership tab...
Mark Hughes heaped praise on goalkeeper Gabe Breeze after Carlisle picked up a vital point in the League Two relegation battle with a goalless draw against in-form Colchester at Brunton Park.Breeze made two excellent saves from Lyle Taylor as the Cumbrians ended a four-game losing run and the former Man City boss was astounded by the 21-year-old’s performance.He said: “The game had som...
Chesterfield boss Paul Cook launched a scathing attack on his play-off hopefuls after they surrendered an early lead to lose 3-1 at Sky Bet League Two table-toppers Walsall.The Spireites enjoyed a rapid start when Jamie Grimes’ eighth-minute header put them ahead against a wobbling Walsall side, who were winless in five matches with the chasing pack closing in.However, Bim Pepple and Dylan D...
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has allayed fears of an injury scare to top scorer Erling Haaland ahead of next week’s Champions League trip to Real Madrid.Haaland went down clutching his leg in the latter stages of the champions’ 4-0 Premier League thrashing of Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday and was immediately substituted.Losing the Norwegian would be a major blow to ...
Rotherham manager Steve Evans described Thomas Parsons’ performance as “atrocious” after the referee awarded a stoppage-time penalty from which Reading snatched a 2-1 victory in League One.Reading had led 1-0 at half-time through top scorer Harvey Knibbs but Sam Nombe levelled for Rotherham from a spot-kick in the 57th minute.With the game heading for a draw, Parsons adjudged Mil...
Michael Flynn believes his team can make a charge towards the League Two play-offs places after watching them come from 2-0 down to beat Barrow 3-2 at home.Matty Taylor scored twice before fellow substitute Ashley Hay hit the winner as the Robins continued their perfect home record in 2025.Cheltenham climbed to 13th in the table and sit eight points off seventh-placed Crewe with two games in hand....
Birmingham manager Chris Davies praised Jay Stansfield’s work ethic after he lit up St Andrew’s with the only goal of a 1-0 win to sink play-off chasing Charlton.Stansfield’s 23rd-minute strike stretched City’s lead to nine points ahead of second-placed Wycombe, with Blues boasting a game in hand.Victory was City’s 30th in all competitions as they extended their unbea...
Andoni Iraola refused to get carried away after Bournemouth fans were left dreaming of a potential Champions League adventure following a first league double over south-coast rivals Southampton.Travelling Cherries fans chanted of playing in European football’s premier competition next season after their side soared to fifth spot in the Premier League table thanks to a deserved 3-1 success at...
Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup praised his side for fighting back to draw 1-1 at Hull after he demanded “I want to see my football team back”.The Norwich boss had some tough words for his team as they trailed 1-0 at half-time to the relegation-threatened side, including for Kellen Fisher – but the player then delivered the assist for Josh Sargent’s equaliser.The Un...
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says Jota has a chance of starting against Bayern Munich after scoring and impressing in a 3-0 victory over Dundee United.Jota earned the club’s man-of-the-match award after cutting in from the left and curling home from 18 yards to double the lead given to the hosts by another impressive finish from Callum McGregor.The Portuguese winger has now started two gam...
