SPL wrap: Kilmarnock climb, Hearts held

A brace from midfielder Liam Kelly moved Kilmarnock to fifth place in the Scottish Premier League after a 2-1 win over Hibernian on Saturday.

The 20-year-old Kelly signed a new contract on Friday that will see him remain at Rugby Park until the end of the 2012-13 season and he celebrated the deal in the best possible style.

Kelly capped off a wonderful move by slotting the ball past Hibs goalkeeper Mark Brown after nine minutes, and was on hand again two minutes before half-time to double Kilmarnock’s lead.

A long-range effort from Derek Riordan pulled a goal back for the visitors 10 minutes after the interval, but despite pressing hard for an equaliser, Hibs could not find the back of the net for a second time.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Hearts failed in their bid for a seventh consecutive win after being held to a 1-1 draw at home by Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Grant Munro put Inverness ahead on 17 minutes but Kevin Kyle slammed home an equaliser from the penalty spot eight minutes later after Stephen Elliott was brought down by Inverness goalkeeper Ryan Esson.

Despite throwing everything at the visitors down the stretch, Hearts could not find a winner and the draw leaves them two points adrift of second place Celtic who have two games in hand.

Scotland’s wintry weather decimated the rest of Saturday’s league fixtures with Aberdeen’s meeting with Motherwell, Celtic’s visit to Hamilton, St Johnstone’s game against Dundee United and Rangers’ clash with St Mirren all postponed.