Hearts 3 Kilmarnock 0

Last updated : 08 February 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Hearts produced a stunning display to kill off the European challenge of Kilmarnock.

The Tynecastle men are now seven points clear of the chasing pack in third place and have seen off their closest opposition comprehensively in the last seven days.

They followed up last week's 3-0 victory over Dunfermline with an equally impressive display against Killie and surely now the players need to be checking that their passports have not expired.

It was a desperate return to Tynecastle for former Hearts boss Jim Jefferies.

His Kilmarnock side competed well for 45 minutes and indeed wasted the best chance of the first half when Kris Boyd fired wide after striker partner Andy McLaren set him free.

But a stunning strike from fullback Alan Maybury five minutes after the break put Hearts in front.

And when Kilmarnock were reduced to ten men a minute later the writing was on the wall.

Greg Shields picked up a first-half caution for dissent and therefore a red card was the only outcome when he hauled down Phil Stamp in full flight.

Kilmarnock lost another goal within 60 seconds when keeper Colin Meldrum made a real mess of Stamp's cross.

Mark de Vreis had the easiest of tasks to fire home the loose ball from 12 yards.

Meldrum did redeem himself with a great save from Gary Wales but substitute Kevin McKenna was able to round things off in some style as he tucked away Wales' pass 11 minutes from time.