KILMARNOCK climb to seventh but at the moment the Ladbrokes Premiership table almost feels like the least of their worries. A day of further grim developments in the Rugby Park boardroom ended with this group of players producing the finest performance of Lee Clark's time in charge to crush Hearts' ambitions of climbing to second spot.

Souleymane Coulibaly might have been producing somersaults towards the Frank Beattie stand at the final whistle but not everyone connected with the Ayrshire club was turning cartwheels yesterday. Earlier in the day, the local paper had carried an exclusive statement from Alan McLeish, the managing director of QTS, the club's title sponsor, threatening to pull the plug on their involvement unless company secretary and former chairman Michael Johnston quits the club.

He was speaking at the end of a week which saw Russel Smith resign as director - bringing the numbers on the board down to three - and almost 1,500 fans sign a petition demanding Johnston's resignation. As if anyone was wondering about the severity of the threat, McLeish reminded everyone that his company's involvement, which began as humble kit sponsor, now encompasses the academy, youth, community and ladies’ programmes. He feels the £1.9m which Johnston has reportedly been offered should be accepted forthwith.

"The fans have made their point quite clear, they want Michael Johnston to go and considering the offer he has been made, I think he should seriously take it," said McLeish. "Local business, fans, and the club directors have made their positions very clear, and I feel that I must agree. The only way the club can move forward now, is for Michael to stand down from the board and let the club move into a new era. QTS would seriously be considering its sponsorship position if Michael stayed in place on the board. We feel the only person who can take the club forward at this moment in time is Billy Bowie."

If this was a further illustration of the gloom and despondency which has seemed to be a permanent fixture at this ground in recent times, thankfully the players would show every bit as much stubbornness and staying power as their company secretary. "I thought we were superb from start to finish," said Clark, a veteran of tough times at Birmingham and Blackpool after what he said was the best win of his eight months in charge. "I am very, very experienced at knowing how to take it away from the players. We have just got to try to do our job, lift the fans with our performances and results."

Kilmarnock showed one change from the side which drew in the Highlands last time out, Steven Smith coming in for his namesake Martin, while Robbie Neilson made two alterations, drafting Faycal Rherras in for Alim Ozturk and preferring Robbie Muirhead to Jamie Walker ahead of him wide left.

Muirhead came through the ranks at Rugby Park and the decision to start him at his old stomping ground almost proved a masterstroke. The game was minutes old when he swung over a devilish cross to the far post. It remains a mystery how Tony Watt failed to capitalise from close range.

Should the worst come to the worst at Kilmarnock, at least Coulibaly's agent will be able to compile quite a highlights DVD to enhance his value in the transfer market. Last night was the itinerant Ivorian's ninth goal in 15 appearances this season, and it was a worthy addition to a showreel which includes backheels, overhead kicks and beating Dorus de Vries with a right foot strike from all of 40 yards at Celtic Park. He had already narrowly missed the target with a free kick by the time he slithered past Rherras and Muirhead down the Kilmarnock right and curled a sweet left-foot shot into Jack Hamilton's top corner. The same player should really have made it two on the night shortly afterwards with a close-range header but perhaps that would have been too prosaic a finish for his tastes.

No matter - because this was a fine showing from a Kilmarnock side who pressed their opponents at the right time and dropped off when it was right to do so. Aside from one early connection, such little threat did Tony Watt and Conor Sammon pose that it was appropriate that the Irishman was applauded off the pitch more by the home fans than the away ones when the strike pairing were withdrawn in a double change just on the hour mark. If an exasperated Neilson had thought Bjorn Johnsen would do any better, he was disabused of that notion when the beanpole American striker comically mishit the ball straight at Jamie MacDonald from close range with the goal gaping.

By that time, Hearts hopes of going second were all but gone, courtesy of a terrific second Kilmarnock goal. Rory McKenzie was the game's best player and he had already clipped the crossbar with one fine strike before he stole another loose ball in midfield and fed Steven Smith. The former Rangers player's first time left-footed strike arced over Jack Hamilton and in off the bar. "It’s frustrating because we had the chance to go second and we spoke about that in the dressing room," said Robbie Neilson. "It was a massive wake up call for us." It was almost enough for the jubilant home fans to forget all about the strife which continues to afflict their club.

Kilmarnock 2 (Coulibaly 22, S Smith 71) Hearts 0

Kilmarnock (4-2-3-1): MacDonald; Hendrie, Addison, Boyd, Taylor; Dicker, Smith; Coulibaly, McKenzie, Jones (Frizzell 89); Tyson (Boyd 89)

Subs not used: D Mackay, Boyle, M Smith, Bojaj, Wilson

Hearts (4-4-2): Hamilton; Paterson, Souttar, Rossi, Rherras; Djoum, Cowie, Kitchen (Buaben 87), Muirhead; Watt (Walker 63), Sammon (Johnsen 63).

Subs not used: Ozturk, Noring, Oshaniwa, Nowak

Referee: A Dallas

Booked: Kilmarnock: Tyson 55. Hearts: Rossi 64, Muirhead 68, Kitchen 76

Attendance: 3,917