Ladbrokes Premiership

KILMARNOCK 0

HEARTS 2

UPBEAT Kilmarnock manager Lee McCulloch is taking positives, despite his side suffering a second successive defeat on Saturday.

They went down to a stubborn Hearts side, who had caretaker manager Jon Daly in charge.

The Jambos began well and make the breakthrough in six minutes when Gordon Greer and Kirk Broadfoot gave Esmael Concalves room to nip in and knock the ball home.

Home goalie Jamie MacDonald then came to Killie's rescue as he rushed out to beat the goalscorer to the ball. Dom Thomas set up Rory McKenzie before the break but the striker fired two shots straight at goalkeeper Jack Hamilton.

Kyle Lafferty then missed a sitter close to goal for Killie in a game which saw home player Kirk Broadfoot and Concalves sent-off following an off-the-ball dust up.

McCulloch said later: "It's disappointing to come away with nothing but it was a massive improvement to the Celtic game during the week. The signs are there that we are improving week-by-week and we could have had a point or possibly all three."

STARMAN: Jamie MacDonald 3

Greg Taylor 2

Adam Frizzell 1.