Ten-man Hearts clinched seventh place in the Scottish Premiership after Stephen Kingsley's late strike at Kilmarnock earned a fourth successive win under caretaker manager Liam Fox.
A drab opening half sparked to life when Hearts attacker Yan Dhanda was sent off following a VAR review for lunging at Stuart Findlay, after referee Dan McFarlane had initially given a free-kick in his favour.
Under the guidance of Chris Burke - with Derek McInnes stood down as manager because of his expected move to Hearts - the hosts pushed to make the most of their numerical advantage but couldn't breach their opponents' defence.
And just as it seemed that a goalless draw was likely, Kingsley stepped up to strike home in off a post in the closing minutes.
The win means Fox remains undefeated in interim charge of the Tynecastle side before he departs the club.
For both clubs, the winds of change are blowing with new management teams and potential squad overhauls on the agenda after underwhelming campaigns.
But there was little to get excited about until Dhanda recklessly handed Kilmarnock an advantage.
The ball got away from the Englishman as he ran forward and, as Findlay came stepped into his path, the attacking midfielder clearly caught him.
The initial award in his favour was overturned and to the initial bemusement of the crowd, it was Dhanda, not Findlay, who was ordered off.
Kilmarnock, though, couldn't quite capitalise despite their best efforts.
Brad Lyons went close, as did substitute Bruce Anderson, but it was Hearts who ought to have scored when Cammy Devlin exchanged passes with Lawrence Shankland before Robby McCrorie did well to tip over.
That warning wasn't heeded and, when the home defence dithered, Kingsley didn't and his effort found the back of the net for a final-day victory.
Image source, SNS
Image source, SNS
