Heart of Midlothian have notched up another Scottish Premier League win to move within seven points of top spot.

Hearts came from behind to defeat Kilmarnock 2-1 at Rugby Park to secure their 11th win in their past 13 matches, taking their unbeaten run to ten matches.

Killie took the lead in the 19th minute through Portuguese striker Rui Miguel Marinho who finished with a low drive from the edge of the box after being teed up by Finnish midfielder Aleksei Eremenko.

Hearts took close to an hour to reply when Stephen Elliott turned in an Ismael Bouzid cross in the 72nd minute and they then found themselves in front with four minutes remaining when Elliott grabbed his second, netting after the Killie defence failed to clear properly.

It was a deserved win for the Edinburgh club and delighted Jambos boss Jim Jefferies.

"It was a fantastic result for us. Killie have been in fine form but we showed we are made of sterner stuff and giving them a goal of a start and still coming back to beat them on their own patch speaks volumes for the squad," he said.

"Questions were asked tonight after the disappointment in the cup and we answered them well.

"I thought it was an excellent comeback because right from the kick-off at the start of the second half we had them on the back foot and they never really got going.

"It wasn't really until when it was 1-1 and we were throwing bodies forward, that I was concerned that, after getting back on level terms, we might throw it all away.

"But we got it sorted out and Stephen came up with another great goal and had a wee chance for a hat-trick at the end.

"We had two or three key players out but it showed there was a spirit and determination to keep the run we are on at the moment going."