Hearts remain in the Scottish Premiership after losing 1-0 to 10-man Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
The hosts looked to be in for a tough task after defender Robbie Dees was sent off inside the first 10 minutes for a high challenge on Kenneth Vargas.
But Bruce Anderson’s strike gave Killie the lead and they could have added to it, with Hearts keeper Craig Gordon pulling off a great save to deny Marley Watkins and David Watson.
Hearts hit the woodwork twice through Moussa Dramme and Ian Danda, but they were disappointing against 10 men.
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes made two changes from the last game against Dundee United, introducing Bobby Wells and Watkins, while Craig Halkett and Drummey came on for Hearts, replacing the injured Frankie Kent and the suspended Lawrence Shankland.
Hearts were inches away from taking the lead just a minute later when Kilmarnock goalkeeper Robbie McCrory missed a corner, allowing Drameh to volley inside the post.
Kilmarnock’s Robbie Dees is shown a straight red card
The home side got the better of that one, but were out of luck a few minutes later as Deas went down on Vargas’ ankle.
Referee Don Robertson initially booked the Killie defender before converting it to red after he was screened by VAR by Gavin Duncan.
It was a busy match for the referee and he was involved again after a quarter of an hour when he awarded Kilmarnock a penalty after James Penriss was caught late on by Joe Wright in the corner of the box.
Anderson stepped up and coolly slotted the ball to Gordon’s left to put Kiley ahead.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, it was Kilmarnock who should have doubled their advantage in the 28th minute as Watkins was cleared but Gordon popped up to make a crucial stop.
Watkins went close again in the 40th minute as he blocked Fraser Murray’s cutback, but Penrice made a crucial save.
Hearts were poor after the red card and Alan Forrest saw a low effort easily saved by McCrory as the first 45 minutes drew to a close.
Kilmarnock had their first chance of the second half in the 48th minute when Brad Lyon pushed forward and released Watson, but substitute Killie saw his low effort well saved by Gordon.
Kilmarnock had another chance in the 54th minute when Watkins cut the ball back for Liam Donnelly, whose shot went agonizingly wide.
Hearts still looked toothless and boss Neil Critchley made four changes before the hour mark, bringing on Liam Boyce, James Wilson, Jorge Grant and Danda.
Wilson almost made an instant impact when Cammy Devlin caught a Killie defender napping and cut the ball back, but the young forward saw his shot blocked.
Kieran O’Hara had replaced McCrory in the home goal at half-time and he eventually came on in the 73rd minute, getting down low to have Penrice’s shot safely cleared away.
Substitute Dhanda looked to have salvaged a point for the visitors in stoppage time, but his curling shot rebounded off the crossbar as Kilmarnock secured a deserved win.
