Kilmarnock 1-0 Heart of Midlothian

Steve Clarke says Kilmarnock have "come a long way in such a short space of time" after their 1-0 defeat of Hearts.

Lee Erwin's early goal was enough to give Killie the win, with Kris Boyd, Youssouf Mulumbu and Stuart Findlay also threatening for the hosts.

The Rugby Park side finished fifth with their biggest Premiership points tally of 59 - 10 points clear of Hearts.

"It's a great accolade for me personally, but for the club it's a bigger thing," said manager Clarke.

"It shows we've come a long way in such a short space of time. But credit to the players, they make my job easy and we've done okay."

Hearts' final game of the season was a vision of the future with a list of injuries and suspensions meaning manager Craig Levein had to load his squad with youngsters.

Debutants Chris Hamilton and Cameron Logan joined Lewis Moore - with 10 teenagers in Levein's squad of 18.

Referee Stephen Finnie and his assistant Stephen Mitchell were on their last call as match officials.

Levein and Clarke enjoyed top-half finishes in the Scottish Premiership

Kilmarnock were rewarded for their early influence on the game. Hearts goalkeeper Jack Hamilton got something on Erwin's shot, but the ball spun in the air and bounced in at his left post.

It was an entertaining game in a relaxed atmosphere in the Ayrshire sunshine and there were chances galore. Playmaker Mulumbu in the middle of the park for Killie was a joy to watch.

Killie should have won by more, but a series of incredible saves by keeper Hamilton combined with some bad decision making in front of goal kept it to a single goal victory.

Boyd in particular could have added to his 18 league goals - failing to get his head to Erwin's first-half cross and a brilliant save denying him on the volley late on.

Clarke, who took charge of a struggling Kilmarnock side in October, commented afterwards: "The expectations have been raised. That's what happens in football.

"There's always people who want to knock you down and take you down a peg or two. Hopefully, we can achieve at least what we did this year, if not better."

And Levein said in his post-match media conference: "It was a hard day for us and I'm delighted for them, particularly the guys making their debuts.

"There was part of me fearing it could be sore but Jack Hamilton made three really, really good saves when we needed him. We got away with one but all credit to the boys. It will do them the world of good."