Kilmarnock vs Hearts. Scottish Premiership.
The BBSP Stadium, Rugby Park.
Match report as Christian Doidge seals 2-1 comeback home victory for 10-player Kilmarnock over Hearts; Killie fell behind to Lawrence Shankland's opener; Daniel Armstrong's penalty levelled it up before Doidge put them ahead just before half-time; Rory McKenzie sent off in second half
Saturday 1 April 2023 20:44, UK
Christian Doidge was the hero for 10-player Kilmarnock as they defeated Hearts 2-1 to earn a crucial three points in the Scottish Premiership.
The striker, who is on loan from Hibernian, capitalised on an error from Zander Clark to put the hosts ahead on the stroke of half-time.
It completed a fantastic turnaround from Killie who fell behind to Lawrence Shankland's early opener before levelling courtesy of Daniel Armstrong's penalty.
Rory McKenzie was shown a red card on the hour mark, but Derek McInnes' remaining 10 players would see out the rest of the contest comfortably.
The result moves Kilmarnock six points clear of Dundee United at the foot of the table, while defeat for Hearts sees their advantage in third place cut to just one point.
Kilmarnock started brightly and should have taken the lead after six minutes when Joe Wright rose to meet Jordan Jones' free-kick, but the defender failed to find the target from close range.
They were made to pay just 60 seconds later as Jeriel Dorsett carelessly lost possession and Shankland drove forward before unleashing a low effort beyond Sam Walker.
Killie were handed a great opportunity to draw level after 21 minutes when they were awarded a penalty.
Clark brought down Kyle Vassell after the Hearts keeper had failed to handle Liam Donnelly's powerful strike and referee Euan Anderson had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
A lengthy VAR check followed but the decision would stand and Armstrong powered home the resulting spot-kick.
Buoyed by their equaliser, the home team began to control proceeding and Vassell came close to putting them ahead when his flicked header beat the Hearts keeper before landing on the top of the goal.
An error from Clark gifted Kilmarnock the lead on the stroke of half-time - the keeper misjudging Armstrong's cross allowing Doidge to turn the ball into the gaping goal.
Ross Stewart replaced the injured Clark in goal after the break and Robbie Neilson also introduced Barrie McKay into the action with the hope of injecting some attacking spark into his side - though they would make a laboured start to the second half.
Their hopes of getting something out of the match received a boost on the hour mark though, as Kilmarnock captain McKenzie was shown a straight red card for a poorly timed lunge on Jorge Grant.
Shankland had an effort well held by Walker as Hearts searched for an equaliser, while at the other end Wright struck the side-netting after finding room at the back post.
The home players were furious when play was waved on after Stewart appeared to have handled outside of his area, though the keeper was spared any punishment after a brief VAR check.
With 10 minutes left, Luke Chambers stung the palms of the Jam Tarts goalkeeper with a low drive as Killie looked to put the game beyond doubt.
Seven minutes of added time had the home supporters on the edge of their seats and they would erupt in delight as the referee sounded the full-time whistle.
Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes:
"I felt like the supporters and my players had to see the game out, we wouldn't have asked to do it with 10 men of course, but it actually reinforces how strong a performance it was.
"It was heroic at times, the effort was brilliant, the connection with the support was there and we're going to need that - it was a very good day's work and a thoroughly deserved win.
"It felt as if we were always on the edge and that we were playing last-minute football for about 40 minutes.
"It's great for the staff to see the players get the rewards for such a high-energy performance as well as a good performance."
He added: "We just need to go into the post-split fixtures in as good form as we can be and in as healthy a position as we can be - after that it'll be a proper wrestle.
"We know we've beaten the teams around us already and we can do it again.
"We'll be in the same situation in some of the games going forward, we'll be ahead and it's important we have the confidence to see the game out."
Hearts boss Robbie Neilson:
"We have to look at ourselves and we are going through a difficult period at the moment.
"The game became erratic and got away from us, that's the most frustrating thing.
"Everyone has to look at themselves and ask if they are doing enough, we have been through adversity before here, it's a part of Hearts.
"We had a brilliant fan base here, there was massive frustration from them at the end and rightly so, but throughout the rest of the game they backed us."
Kilmarnock are away to Aberdeen in their next Scottish Premiership match on April 8, while Hearts host St Mirren.
Both games kick-off at 3pm.
