Kilmarnock opened the scoring after 12 minutes when Steven Naysmith scored from close range. That lead lasted all of 48 seconds though as Hearts new boy Rudi Scacel equalised from a similar distance.
Another debutant, Roman Bednar headed Hearts into the lead 50 seconds from the restart and Saul Mikolunas added a third after the hour mark.
Gordon Greer pulled another one back after 74, but it was Hearts all the way and their efforts were rewarded with only 2 minuted left on the clock, when Ex-Hearts skipper Gary Locke brought down Edgaras Jankauskas in the area, and Paul Hartley had no hesitation in delicering a hard left footer into the net from the spot.
This was a game that ref Alan Freeland had to heep a keen eye on, as tempers were somewhat frayed and bookings aplenty. Ford, Locke, Naismith, Boyd and nish were all booked for the home side, whereas Mikolunas was booked for Hearts.
All in all, a great start to the new campaign and new regeime, and a sweetner for the Hearts support to snap up the remaining season tickets.