Heart of Midlothian 1-1 Kilmarnock

Kyle Lafferty saw his stoppage-time penalty saved as Hearts had to settle for a point at home to Kilmarnock.

Eamonn Brophy steered a long ball past Hearts goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin to give Kilmarnock an early lead.

Steven Naismith headed in an equaliser from David Milinkovic's deep cross, his first goal for Hearts.

Lafferty had a goal-bound effort cleared off the line and then after winning a penalty, his soft effort was easily saved by Jamie MacDonald.

The results leaves Hearts and Kilmarnock in fifth and sixth place in the Premiership respectively, with fourth-placed Hibernian nine points clear of the Tynecastle side and 11 clear of Kilmarnock.

Steven Naismith (right) scores his first goal for Hearts

The fans inside Tynecastle were still settling into their seats when the visitors took a shock lead. Youssouf Mulumbu won possession in midfield and sent a long ball over the top for his strikers to chase.

Hearts captain Christophe Berra won the chase, but knocked the ball into the path of Brophy who took full advantage and slipped the ball between the legs of the advancing McLaughlin and into the net.

Steve Clarke's Kilmarnock have been oozing in confidence in recent weeks and the goal certainly put them on the front foot.

Indeed Rory McKenzie should have doubled the Killie lead when he connected with a Jordan Jones cross just six yards out, but he guided it wide of the target.

The Tynecastle faithful were looking for a response from their team and were given a real chance from a free-kick just outside the box.

Lafferty's effort though was weak with the ball drifting high and wide of the target.

Brophy was utilising his excellent pace at every opportunity and when sent through by McKenzie he looked sure to double the lead.

However, his shot brought out a marvellous save from McLaughlin and this was to be crucial as Hearts raced up field to equalise.

Eamonn Brophy gives Kilmarnock an early lead at Tynecastle

Milinkovic was allowed space down the left to send a cross into the box where Naismith had made a great run from midfield and stooped low to nod the ball into the net.

Hearts were now in the ascendency and when Adao played in Lafferty he flicked the ball over the advancing MacDonald, only for Greg Taylor to make a last-gasp clearance.

As heavy snow began to fall on the Tynecastle pitch chances in the second half were few and far between.

Naismith drifted a header wide and at the other end Jordan Jones' shot on goal was weak and easy pickings for McLaughlin.

Lafferty's shot from 20 yards out soared over the crossbar, then play again switched to the other end and Lee Irwin was denied by McLaughlin at his near post.

McLaughlin then pulled off a wonder save from a Jones header before play raged on at the other end with referee Don Robertson awarding the home side a spot kick when Lafferty went to ground inside the box.

Lafferty stepped up, but his kick was saved by MacDonald, and he again failed to finish another chance moments later when he flicked a long ball into the hands of the goalkeeper.

Post-match reaction

Hearts manager Craig Levein: "I'm not happy with the point. I wouldn't have been happy with a point before the game and I'm not happy with it now.

"We started the game really poorly and we gave Kilmarnock a bit of hope. All credit to the players, they fought their way back into the match and I thought the second half was much better. To get a chance like that, a last-minute penalty, I felt the game was won.

"Our defence was not as solid as it has been; we got caught on the counter a few times.

"Tonight the overriding feeling is of disappointment that we didn't take three points when they looked like they were in the bank."

Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke: "We're not allowed to talk about the pitch at Kilmarnock. We get a lot of stick for our one, but the pitch was difficult tonight.

"Their goal was a catalogue of mistakes and a big slip from Stephen O'Donnell which was definitely attributable to the pitch.

"We had a number of chances to win it towards the end, but probably the draw was fair.

"That's what your goalkeeper is there for [penalty save]. I'm pleased because it keeps our little run going, pleased because it keeps a bit of momentum going into Saturday's game away at Aberdeen. It was a good attitude and good effort from the players."