Ladbrokes Premiership

KILMARNOCK 0

HEARTS 1

TEN-man Killie on Saturday fell to defeat against Hearts, after a controversial red-card which is now set to be appealed.

Gary Dicker was sent packing in 67 minutes for a challenge on visiting player Callum Morrison, deemed to be reckless by referee Willie Collum although TV replays showed there was nothing in it. And this proved to be a turning point in the game.

Manager Steve Clarke is certain the player will have the red card rescinded on appeal and said: "I didn't think it was a red card at the time. I've seen it back and still don't think it was a red card. I'm sure Gary will get off on appeal. I think the most disappointing thing is that such an experienced official couldn't wait to get the card out of his pocket before he thought about it and assessed the situation. In the replay I saw Gary Dicker winning the ball twice. It was clear."

Back to the action and for much of the first half long balls were played, but few opportunities created.

However Hearts came close just before the break when Olly Lee sent a header into the arms of home goalie Jamie MacDonald.

Killie were then reduced to 10 men when Dicker was red-carded, leaving them facing an uphill struggle. Just after this Macdonald skilfully tipped away a Steven MacLean header as the hosts boosted their hopes of taking a point.

However, nine minutes from time the Jambos made the breakthrough when Uche Ikpeazu latched on to a Peter Haring cross at the edge of the box and crashed the ball home.

KILMARNOCK: MacDonald 7; O'Donnell 7, Broadfoot 6, Findlay 7, Taylor 7 (Thomas 84, 5) Dicker 5, Burke 6, Power 6, Jones 6, Ndjoli 5 (Brophy 75), 5) K Boyd (Wilson 68, 6). Unused subs: Bachmann, Boyd, Waters, Graham.

STARMAN

Stephen O'Donnell 3

Greg Taylor 2

Jamie MacDonald 1.