Maroon Memories: Red card for Marshall gives Hearts the chance for a dramatic finish

Hearts staged a dramatic late goal flurry to move within three points of their Ayrshire opponents in the race for a UEFA Cup place.

A late red-card for visiting goalkeeper Gordon Marshall, who handled outside his area with 15 minutes remaining when Hearts were just a goal ahead, swung the match.

Manager Craig Levein moved Scott Severin forward from a central defensive role to cover the suspended Colin Cameron. The versatile Thomas Flogel was pushed up front alongside Andy Kirk, with Gary McSwegan kept on the bench.

Only twice was a ball struck in the direction of goal in the first period and both incidents came from Killie, Garry Hay being denied by a block by Steven Pressley and goalkeeper Antti Niemi saving well from Paul Wright.

Levein was forced to alter his selection after only 21 minutes, with midfielder Robert Tomaschek having fallen victim to a hamstring injury and Steven Boyack was introduced.

Flogel was flung into attack alongside Kirk, and his glanced header on the half-time whistle finally caused Marshall to dirty his strip, but it drifted narrowly wide. Juanjo followed up with an example of his shooting ability after the break - the home side finally bringing out a save from Marshall.

Gary McSwegan replaced Kirk with an immediate impact. Flogel worked a one-two with McSwegan and, after clever footwork, set his sights from 20 yards and his shot was deflected beyond the despairing dive of Marshall.

Marshall’s night soon capitulated properly. When McSwegan was put through by an excellent Austin McCann pass, Marshall came to meet him and the striker attempted to poke the ball around his grounded body. The ball seemed to thud into the chest area of the former Celtic keeper, and as he stood up it rolled up and down his back. At some point, though, it must have brushed his arm.

Referee George Mitchell waved play on, but the assistant referee waved his flag, and the outcome of their consultation was predictable. Marshall, an understandably forlorn figure, had to walk.

From the free-kick, Juanjo exquisitely curled an effort past substitute keeper Colin Medlrum and they still had time for another. Severin acrobatically converted Juanjo’s cross with his back to goal a minute from the end.

Hearts: A Niemi, R Neilson, S Pressley, G Murray, A McCann, Juanjo (P Kaczan, 89), S Severin, R Tomaschek (S Boyack, 22), K McAnespie, T Flogel, A Kirk (G McSwegan, 69). Subs not used: R McKenzie, D Goldie.

Kilmarnock: G Marshall, M Baker (C Meldrum, 76), F Dindeleux, C Innes, G Hay, G Holt, M Reilly, A Mahood, P Canero, A McLaren (P Di Giacomo, 87), P Wright (C Cocard, 78). Subs not used: A MacPherson, S Davidson.

Referee: Garry Mitchell.

Attendance: 9,195.