Hearts 0 - 1 Kilmarnock: Uche Ikpeazu injured as Kilmarnock snatch late victory

The game was 90 per cent endeavour and ten per cent quality, but Kilmarnock won’t care a jot after a late Stuart Findlay’s stunner sparked rapturous celebrations in the away end and pushed Stevie Clarke’s men into third place in the Ladbrokes Premiership with two games to play.

Hearts' Uche Ikpeazu goes off with an apparent hamstring injury in the second half. Pic: SNS/Ross Parker

The only negative is that European rivals Aberdeen, who sit just behind the Ayrshire side on goal difference, will be playing Hearts at Pittodrie next week and must surely be confident of collecting all three points without breaking too much of a sweat. The Tynecastle club could have played all day against Killie and still wouldn’t have looked like scoring, especially after Uche Ikpeazu was forced from the action with a hamstring injury.

Of course, should Celtic do as expected and defeat Craig Levein’s outfit in the Scottish Cup final then fourth place will be good enough for a Europa League spot, but Killie would rather not leave it to chance, regardless of how slim it would be.

“Our first objective was to stay in the league, we did that comfortably. Our second objective was to make top six again, we did that. And our third objective was to best last season’s record points total and we did that today. I’ve not come up with a fourth yet, but I’m sure I’ll think of something,” said Clarke with a smile.

Killie had the first opportunity with Eamonn Brophy forcing Zdenek Zlamal into a front post save. The striker was again involved on 20 minutes when his cross for Liam Millar streaking in at the back post looked certain to result in a goal. The on loan Liverpool attacker would have been left with the simple task of tapping home were it not for an excellent last-ditch tackle from John Souttar.

Alex Bruce then provided his own vital invention at the other end, clearing Ikpeazu’s finish off the goal-line after Daniel Bachmann had spilled at the feet of the striker.

Brophy once again tested Zlamal’s reflexes with a high strike from a narrow angle. The forward was then desperately unlucky to see his low volley from a Millar cross come back off the woodwork.

Youngster Harry Cochrane, starting consecutive games for the first time this season, had two opportunities in as many minutes to fire his side in front. In the end, both efforts were skewed horribly wide from the edge of the penalty area.

The hosts were dealt a significant blow just 40 seconds into the second half when Ikpeazu, who’d be tussling for the ball with Stephen O’Donnell, signalled to be taken off. Despite the obvious concern, Levein revealed he’s confident the striker will be fit for the Hampden showdown with Celtic on 25 May.

“Uche’s hamstring was tight at half-time, he could go back out and try it but he felt it tighten up again, so we told him if he felt it to just come off.” said his manager. “These things tend to be 10-14 days. His strength is good. If he recovers in 10 days I’ll consider him for the Celtic game, but he shouldn’t be a concern for the cup final.”

Brophy had another opportunity a short time later as he fired over the bar after being played in by Youssouf Mulumbu. Having been second best for most of the first half, Hearts then enjoyed their strongest spell, though they could still only create one decent chance. Steven MacLean managed to get his head on to Jake Mulraney’s cross from the left but couldn’t turn it towards goal.

The away side then had an excellent chance as Rory McKenzie’s cross picked out Bruce arriving in the six-yard box. The defender had a free header but couldn’t get over the ball, sending it high over the crossbar.

In the end they weren’t made to rue that miss as Findlay rifled a terrific winner into the far corner after Gary Dicker’s cross had only been partially cleared.

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