Hearts’ charge at the top of the Scottish Premiership was dealt a shock blow as Kilmarnock stunned the league leaders with a deserved victory at Rugby Park.
Michael Schjonning-Larsen’s 17th-minute goal meant Hearts remain just two points ahead of Celtic at the top of the table with eight games to play, while the hosts are now level on points with 10th-placed St Mirren, who host Rangers on Sunday.
Kilmarnock showed intent from the start and could have gone ahead within the first five minutes.
Finlay Curtis controlled and turned on the edge of the Hearts box, his deflected strike hitting the base of the post and bouncing clear.
Schjonning-Larsen had already enjoyed a few forays up the park from his left-back position in the first quarter of an hour and he was the man who broke the deadlock.
The Estonian gave Michael Steinwender the slip to ghost in at the back post and meet Greg Kiltie’s perfect cross, prodding past Alexander Schwolow.
Hearts were forced into a change when Tomas Magnusson went down with a head knock, replaced by Oisin McEntee.
Joe Hugill brought Schwolow into a diving save to prevent his side from going further behind, and Braga had another snap shot that went high and wide, but neither side could add to the scoreline before the break.
Derek McInnes brought on Islam Chesnokov on for Pierre Landry Kabore in the hope of sparking his side to life but Hearts continued to struggle to impose themselves on a home side eyeing a precious three points and defending with energy.
Hearts threw everything forward in search of a leveller but lacked a cutting edge and Kilmarnock kept their cool, looking to counter but prioritising defending their lead.
The hosts dealt with every question Hearts posed through the second half and six added minutes, celebrating what could be a vital in in the bid to beat the drop.
Hearts remain top but will be frustrated by a lacklustre performance and a missed opportunity to take another step towards the title.
