Kilmarnock went in at half-time ruing Christophe Cocard's penalty miss after the Frenchman hit a post rather than the back of the net.

Steven Pressley had been the man to concede it when referee Dougie McDonald ruled he had used an arm to control a bouncing ball.

Hearts midfielder Lee Makel almost gifted Kilmarnock an early goal with a misplaced pass in front of his own penalty box but Cocard was off balance and fired the first shot of the game well wide.

Antonio Calderon did far better from 25 yards forcing Antti Niemi into a spectacualar tip over the bar.

Then Ally Mitchell fired a skidding long-range effort across goal and wide as the home side dominated the opening exchanges.

But Hearts almost caught them on the counter attack when Stephane Adam won the ball and played a one-two with Colin Cameron to get into a shooting position on the left.

His effort fizzed across the box but between the far post and the onrushing Andy Kirk.

Kirk then got the better of Kevin McGowne on the edge of the box and Killie had to concede a corner to stop Adam from pouncing.

Killie swept back up the other end with a move involving Garry Hay, Calderon and new Scotland cap Andy McLaren but Gus McPherson could not hit the target at the end.

This had been billed as a potential Euro decider but the game nearly had to be called off.

The Rugby Park groundstaff had decided to water the pitch only for the heavens to open up soon after and add to their efforts.

But following an inspection referee Dougie McDonald gave the game the go-ahead.

Killie had kicked off knowing a win would put them six points ahead of Hearts, their only rival for fourth place and the Uefa Cup place that goes with it, with only nine more up for grabs.

But they also knew a win for the Edinburgh side, who had beaten the Ayrshiremen convincingly in their last two meetings, would put them ahead on goal difference.

Killie boss Bobby Williamson had named an unchanged side while his Hearts counterpart, Craig Levein, was bold in his selection.

He handed a first start to new signing from Arbroath Andy Webster and restored striker Adam to the side, with the Frenchman once more recovered from injury.

In the 21st minute Pressley conceded a penalty when, under pressure from McLaren, he allowed MacPherson's ball into the box to bounce and hit his body.

The referee ruled Pressley had used his arm but it looked a harsh decision.

Cocard took the spot-kick and saw his effort hit Niemi's left-hand post and bounce back into the goalkeeper's arms.

It was a big let off for Hearts, who almost took the lead straight after when Adam, at the far post, headed goalwards and keeper Colin Meldrum clutched the ball before it crossed the line.

Killie's reply was a through ball from Hay that Webster failed to cut out. McLaren found himself through but Niemi was equal to his shot.

Makel gave Kirk a shooting chance at the other end but his shot was wayward.

Adam went down under a challenge on the edge of the box but play went on. Hay had words with the Frenchman and contact was made. That was also the case when Adam ran past his accuser and he was booked when his sly kick was spotted by an assistant.

MacPherson was keen to get on the scoresheet but was once more off target with a fierce drive.

The same player swung in a cross to the far post where Hay rose the highest but planted his header across goal rather than towards it.