Hearts 1 Kilmarnock 0

Jankauskas keeps Hearts top as search for manager gathers pace

Whoever succeeds Burley will inherit a side that has already beaten last season's champions, Rangers, and held Celtic this season. Celtic's 5-0 romp over Motherwell last night keeps them three points behind Hearts, while Rangers' 2-2 draw at Livingston will only increase the pressure on Alex McLeish. Are you a manager in need of work? Head north now.

Anderton has been tasked with "sieving" some 20 applicants and then presenting the club's owner, Vladimir Romanov, with a selection of "top-class, quality managers" to choose from. No time limit has been set, but Anderton has not ruled out a rapid decision. "If someone's put forward and it all clicks, it could be quick," he said. The Edinburgh derby against Hibs at Easter Road on Saturday could be a possible baptism of fire.

The presence at Tynecastle last night of Crystal Palace's Iain Dowie was understood to be unrelated to the Hearts job. He was scouting, as have an increasing number of Premiership managers impressed by Hearts' start to the season.

Also in attendance was the Scotland manager, Walter Smith, although all he saw of two his internationals, Hearts' captain, Steven Pressley, and the playmaker, Paul Hartley, was the back of their heads a few rows in front of him in the directors' box. Pressley was suspended, meaning Christophe Berra deputised in central defence, while Hartley's central role was taken by the winger Rudi Skacel, whose place on the left was filled by Jamie McAllister. John McGlynn, the interim manager, made one other change, starting with Deividas Cesnauskis instead of Samuel Camazzola on the right of midfield.

Kilmarnock had a chance within a minute of kick-off, with Steven Naismith slamming a shot into the side netting, but Hearts were ascendant thereafter, with Skacel pivotal. He constantly roamed from the middle to his natural berth seeking openings.

It was from the left flank, with a delicious diagonal cross in the 35th minute that descended into path of Edgar Jankauskas, that he found what he was looking for. The former Porto striker took just a moment to trap the ball before driving low under Graeme Smith.

Kilmarnock had a penalty appeal turned down early in the second half by Stevie O'Reilly, who started the game as the fourth official but was upgraded to referee during the interval when Stuart Dougal, was taken ill. Again, spurred by a visitors' attack, Hearts took back the initiative. Jankauskas had a shot deflected wide, while Cesnauskis and McAllister swapped passes, promising a gilt-edged chance, but failing to deliver.

Heart of Midlothian (4-1-3-2): Gordon; Neilson, Webster, Berra, Fyssas; Brellier; Cesnauskis (Camazzola, 62), Skacel (Wallace, 85), McAllister; Pospisil, Jankauskas (Elliot, 81). Substitutes not used: Banks (gk), Simmons, Mikoliunas, Tall.

Kilmarnock (4-4-2): Smith; Fowler, Greer, Wright, Hay; Johnston, McDonald, Dodds (Wales, 69), Invincibile; Naismith, Boyd (Murray, 75). Substitutes not used: Bell (gk), Di Giacomo, Campbell, Adams, Flannigan.

Referee: S Dougal (Scotland).