Kilmarnock rounded out their season with a frustrating 1-0 defeat against Hearts in a contest that summed up their campaign. The hosts had plenty of chances and controlled much of the play, only to come away empty-handed thanks to defensive dithering that allowed Stephen Kingsley to net a late winner. Derek McInnes, still technically Killie boss but set to complete a move to the Tynecastle side, was nowhere to be seen and in truth that saw much of the energy sapped from what could have been a fervent atmosphere inside Rugby Park. And, in truth, the action on the field for large spells reflected a game which had little riding on it. Killie started on the front foot and created the game’s first chance. Good work from skipper Kyle Vassell down the wing led to the striker teeing up David Watson but his effort was blocked. Hearts, meanwhile, mustered a couple of half chances with Cammy Devlin dragging a strike wide moments after Stephen Kingsley carried the ball forward before firing comfortably over from 25 yards. Having missed the previous two games through injury, Zander Clark was recalled to the starting line-up for Hearts - only to hobble off injured after 20 minutes and be replaced by Ryan Fulton. Hearts began to have more of the possession and they fashioned an opportunity when Alan Forrest produced a trademark cut-in from the right flank looking to curl a left-footed effort into the far corner, but placed his effort straight into the arms of Robby McCrorie. The game swung in Killie's favour just before the half-time interval as Hearts were reduced to 10 men. Initially awarded a free-kick on the edge of the Killie box following Stuart Findlay's challenge on Yan Dhanda, whistler Don McFarlane showed the Hearts man a red card for serious foul play following a VAR check. The home side almost took immediate advantage as Danny Armstrong flashed an angled drive inches wide in the closing moments of the half. Interim gaffer Chris Burke elected for an attacking change during the break with top scorer Bruce Anderson replacing Findlay. And the striker almost made an immediate impact as he powered a header on goal in the opening minute, but straight at Fulton. The sub was proving a threat and at the centre of Killie's attacking play. He teed up Fraser Murray on 61 minutes, only for the winger to blaze wide. Hearts then enjoyed a moment in the ascendency with McCrorie called into action to deny Calem Nieuwenhof and Cammy Devlin - the latter save being a fine stop to tip a fizzing strike over the bar. Killie squandered the best chance of the game on 72 minutes as Vassell played in Marley Watkins, with the veteran striker cutting the ball back for the onrushing Murray - who duly blazed over when he looked certain to find the net. Young Cole Burke, 16, was introduced for the final 20 minutes or so for his home debut, having featured as a late sub in the midweek loss to Motherwell, and the teenager showed few nerves and plenty of hope for the future with an energetic display. The winger wasn't afraid to take on defenders and charge forward, but he wasn't able to provide a late spark that would have given Killie the perfect send-off to a frustrating season. The decisive moment arrived in the 89th minute and was a goal that looked all too familiar during the season as keeper McCrorie failed to take charge of a bouncing ball, while the defenders failed to clear their lines leading to Kingsley netting off the woodwork.