HEARTS 1 Walker (40 pen) KILMARNOCK 1 Balatoni (79)

A SHOCKING performance from referee John Beaton was the major talking point for both sets of fans as they left Tynecastle yesterday, but Hearts’ manager Robbie Neilson preferred to dwell on the failings of his players.

He pointed out that his side had created more than enough chances to win and Beaton’s failings were not what cost them two points.

“It wasn’t the referee who missed six good chances today – we did that.

“If we had scored one of them, I’d be sitting here with three points. It was nothing to do with him it was about us and our performance in front of goal.”

Sam Nicholson could have had a first-half hat-trick but the winger wasn’t involved when his side eventually made the breakthrough.

With referee John Beaton two yards away, Conrad Balatoni rashly brought down Osman Sow and the official awarded a penalty.

Jamie Walker converted the spot-kick with aplomb.

Yet Hearts failed to capitalise when they had the bulk of possession and their cause wasn’t helped by their former ’keeper, Jamie McDonald, pulling out all the stops in the Kilmarnock goal.

The longer the game wore on with just the one goal in it the more nervous the home players and fans became.

Their fears were realised in the 79th minute when Balatoni, another former Jambo, drove home the equaliser after Craig Slater had nudged a high ball from Mark O’Hara into his path.

“I was pleased with our second-half performance,” said Kilmarnock boss Gary Locke.

“I was disappointed with the penalty – but if Conrad hadn’t made the challenge then the referee doesn’t have a decision to make.

“But the boys showed character and we’re delighted with a point.”