Kilmarnock 1 - 0 Hearts

Hearts remain bottom of the Scottish Premier League after losing 1-0 to Kilmarnock 10's at Rugby Park.

The hosts appeared to be facing an uphill task after defender Robbie Deas was sent off inside the first 10 minutes for a high challenge on Kenneth Vargas.

But Bruce Anderson's spot-kick gave Killie the lead and they could have added, with Hearts keeper Craig Gordon making great saves to deny Marley Watkins and David Watson.

Hearts hit the woodwork twice through Musa Drammeh and Yan Dhanda but were disappointed against 10 players.

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes made two changes from the draw with Dundee United last time out, including Bobby Wales and Watkins, while Craig Halkett and Drrammeh came on for Hearts, going replacing the injured Frankie Kent and the suspended Lawrence Shankland.

Hearts were far from taking the lead after just one minute when Kilmarnock goalkeeper Robby McCrorie missed a corner, allowing Drrammeh to head inside the post.

The home side got away with that one but no such luck moments later when Deas went in heavy on Vargas' ankle.

Referee Don Robertson initially issued a yellow card to the Killie defender before upgrading it to red after it was screened by VAR Gavin Duncan.

It was a busy start to the game for the referee and he was involved again after a quarter of an hour when he awarded Kilmarnock a penalty after James Penrice caught Joe Wright late on. the corner of the box.

Anderson stepped up and slotted the ball to Gordon's left to give Killie the lead.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Kilmarnock should have doubled their lead in the 28th minute when Watkins was sent through but Gordon came out and made a crucial stop.

Watkins came close again in the 40th minute as he went on to cut back Fraser Murray but Penrice made a crucial save.

Hearts had been poor since the red card and Alan Forrest saw a low effort easily saved by McCrorie as the first 45 minutes came to an end.

Kilmarnock had their first chance of the second half in the 48th minute when Brad Lyons moved forward and released Watson but the Killie substitute saw his low effort well saved by Gordon.

Kilmarnock had another chance in the 54th minute when Watkins cut the ball back to Liam Donnelly who's blocked shot curled incredibly wide.

Hearts still looked toothless and boss Neil Critchley made four changes before the hour mark, bringing on Liam Boyce, James Wilson, Jorge Grant and Dhanda.

Wilson almost made an immediate impact when Cammy Devlin caught the Killie defense and cut the ball back but the young striker saw his shot blocked.

Kieran O'Hara was substituted for McCrorie in the home goal at half-time and was finally called into action in the 73rd minute, getting down low to deflect Penrice's low shot to safety.

Substitute Dhanda thought he had rescued a point for the visitors in stoppage time, but his curling shot came back off the crossbar as Kilmarnock secured a deserved victory.