BRUCE ALMIGHTY

Anderson's late stunner takes the shine off Budge's farewell as Jambos let their lead slip

- FRASER WILSON AT TYNECASTLE

BRUCE ANDERSON struck an injury-time leveller for Kilmarnock as faltering Jambos failed to hand Queen of Hearts Ann Budge a parting gift victory.

Hearts looked on course for a much-needed win heading into Sunday's top-of-the-table clash with Celtic as Lawrence Shankland’s 49th-minute goal separated the sides.

But Alexander Schwolow failed to hold a Liam Polworth piledriver - and Anderson nipped in to strike a blow which sees the Jambos caught on 32 points by the Hoops.

It was a cruel end for Budge who will step down after 11 years as chairman at today's AGM. But wasteful Hearts can't complain. Worryingly they've now allowed an eight-point lead over Celtic disappear in a six-game sequence that's brought just one win.

Shankland’s attempted dink from Kabore’s layoff was easily saved by Tobi Oluwayemi after 15 minutes. Pierre Landry Kabore was then an inch from converting Borchgrevink’s cross on the half hour.

But Killie served a warning when James Brown could only bundle Alexander Schwolow’s parry wide from four yards.

Hearts took heed. And they stormed ahead four minutes after the break when Kabore dummied Tomas Magnusson's pass to allow Shankland to steam into the box and lift his effort over Oluwayemi into the top corner for his 11th Jambos goal of the season.

Magnusson’s header cracked the post as Hearts looked for a cushion and boss Derek McInnes gave the punters what they wanted as Claudio Braga was introduced with 25 minutes left.