Josh Magennis rescues point for Kilmarnock against Hearts

Josh Magennis headed a late equaliser as Kilmarnock opened up an 11-point lead over Ladbrokes Premiership bottom club Dundee United following a 2-2 draw with Hearts at Rugby Park.Conrad Balatoni scored his second goal of the season against his former club two minutes before the break but the visitors went in level after Gavin Reilly netted his second goal in as many games.Callum Paterson smashed home a volley in the 55th minute but Magennis rose well to head his 10th goal of the season with 10 minutes remaining.There was nothing in the first half and there was only one shot on goal before the opener, Neil Alexander comfortably blocking a Magennis shot from a tight angle.Killie boss Gary Locke handed a first start of the season to 18-year-old right-back David Syme, while recalling centre-back Lee Ashcroft, and his defence was looking far stronger than it did in their last home game, which resulted in a 4-0 defeat to Aberdeen.Hearts started with Juanma Delgado up front alongside Reilly after the Spaniard sat out two games through suspension but former Tynecastle left-back Kevin McHattie foiled both of them with sliding tackles on the only occasions the visitors threatened an opener.The breakthrough came as Killie kept the pressure on after a corner. Rory McKenzie, on for the injured Tope Obadeyi, won the ball back near the bye-line and Magennis drove it towards the near post. Balatoni met it with a backheel which Alexander blocked but the ball spun towards goal and the centre-back made sure.Locke's side had little chance to enjoy the lead. Sam Nicholson worked space from Ashcroft to send in a low cross from the left which found Billy King in yards of space. His left-footed shot was brilliantly stopped by Jamie MacDonald but the ball bounced off the post and fell for Reilly to drill home from close range.Another Nicholson cross led to the second Hearts goal. MacDonald produced an excellent close-range block from Prince Buaben but the ball bounced out to Paterson, who teed himself up for a stinging left-footed volley from 18 yards which flew into the corner of the net.Nicholson continued to cause problems for Hearts and he shot wide after a penetrating run before his corner set up Igor Rossi to head towards the top corner. McHattie again saved his team by clearing off the line.The hosts brought on Kris Boyd for midfielder Craig Slater and started to push Hearts back. Balatoni headed over from a corner before Magennis rose highest to meet Steven Smith's corner and head into the roof of the net from inside the six-yard box.There were some frantic moments as both sides chased a winner but the points were shared.