Kilmarnock Defeats Hearts 1-0 at Rugby Park

Hearts remain at the bottom of the William Hill Premiership after losing 1-0 to Kilmarnock, who played 84 minutes with ten men due to Robbie Deas' early red card for a challenge on Kenneth Vargas. Bruce Anderson converted a penalty in the 18th minute to give Kilmarnock the lead, and despite Hearts hitting the woodwork twice, they struggled offensively against the depleted side. Kilmarnock's defensive performance, bolstered by Craig Gordon's crucial saves, limited Hearts to few clear chances. This victory marked Kilmarnock's first win in six matches, lifting them three places in the table. Manager Derek McInnes hopes this result can spark greater consistency in his team's performance, which has previously been marred by disciplinary issues. The match was characterized by a busy officiating performance, with critical decisions made via VAR.