Unbeaten League Leaders Fall At Rugby Park!

Kilmarnock 3 Hearts 1
(Scottish Division I, Match 17, Rugby Park, Dec 19th, 1964)

Killie were coming off their worst league outing of the year (a 5-1 thrashing at Greenock Vs Morton), and faced unbeaten league leading Hearts at Rugby Park on Dec 19th 1964. A massive crowd of 18,285 took in a thrilling encounter, that went a long way to deciding the league championship of 1964-65.

Hearts took the early advantage through Alan Gordon in the 19th min, with a shot that somehow found its way past Campbell Forsyth, with the keepers own full back Matt Watson nearly clattering into him. (right).

Killie replied quickly through Brian McIlroy and after a slip by Chris Shevlane, he let wee Davie Sneddon nip in and put Killie 2-1 up just before the interval.

The second half was a close, exciting, tense affair, with Hearts looking a constant threat, but Killie's rear-guard looked very strong. Willie Wallace did have the ball in the net only to see his effort "chalked off" for Hearts. Not unlike Killie's goal in the 62-63 League Cup Final, just 2 years earlier!

Cruickshank Tips Over A Shot For Hearts

With 10 min's or so remaining Ronnie Hamilton put Hearts out of their misery to give Killie a 3-1 lead! This goal would also be telling coming the final fixture of the season when Killie needed  overcome a 2 goal average deficit on their way to clinching the title.

Hearts Rugby Park "hoodoo" continued having not won in Ayrshire since 1955!

Kilmarnock: Forsyth, King, Watson, McGrory, Murray, Beattie, McLean, McFadzean, Hamilton, McIlroy & Sneddon.

Attendance: 18,285