Goalkeeper Gilles Rousset spoiled an otherwise magnificent performance with a crucial blunder as Killie kept the pressure on leaders Rangers.

The Frenchman pulled off a string of superb saves but fumbled a cross in the 27th minute and Gary Holt forced the ball home.

"They got a break for their goal but after that I thought we did more than enough for a share of the points," said disappointed Hearts manager Jim Jefferies.

"I couldn't fault my players for the effort they put in, but we just don't seem to be getting the breaks."

Conditions were atrocious with driving rain and hail making good play almost impossible.

Hearts opened in determined fashion despite facing a strong wind and Gary McSwegan set up an early chance for Gary Locke, but the Hearts skipper shot well wide of the goal.

Kilmarnock gradually took a grip, forcing several corners in quick succession. Rousset came to the rescue after 11 minutes when he produced a terrific save to deny Paul Wright from eight yards.

Ally Mitchell fired a dangerous ball across the visitors goal but there were no takers, while Gus McPherson caused an alarm at the other end with a short backpass and Gordon Marshall had to race from his goal to clear.

But Killie were soon back on the attack and eventually got the breakthrough they deserved.

Ally McCoist and Martin Baker played a neat one-two inside the box and when Rousset failed to deal with the defender's cross, Holt was in the right place to bundle the ball over the line.

Hearts' best chance of the first half fell to Steve Fulton four minutes before the interval when he was sent clear by Thomas Flogel but the midfielder took too long and was denied by Marshall's legs.

The visitors, backed by a strong wind, enjoyed more possession after the break and it was the Kilmarnock defence that found itself under pressure.

McSwegan came close in 67 minutes when he shot into the side net following a Fulton corner.

Kilmarnock went closes in the closing stages when Rousset pulled off another good save when he dived to his right to hold Holt's header from a Baker cross nine minutes from time.

The home side could be without Jeorme Vareille for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury but manager Bobby Williamson has no plans to rush into the transfer market.

"I've enough good players at the club to fill in but that's not to say I wouldn't move if the right player became available," he said.

Kilmarnock: Marshall, MacPherson, Baker, Montgomerie, McGowne, Reilly, Mitchell, Durrant, McCoist, Wright, Holt. Subs: Henry, Mahood, Roberts, Lauchlan, Strain.

Hearts: Rousset, Pressley, McKinnon, Weir, McPherson, Locke, Murray, McSwegan, Hamilton, Fulton, Flogel. Subs: McKenzie, Quitongo, Makel, Horn, Holmes.