Hearts enjoyed one of the easiest away wins that they have had for some time as first half goals from Mark de Vries saw them coast to victory over an out-of-sorts Kilmarnock.
De Vries was giving the Killie defence a torrid time straight from kick-off and he had the visitors in control of the match.
Phil Stamp picked himself up from a nasty-looking ankle knock to create the first chance in the fourth minute when he charged down Barry McLaughlin's clearance, but his volley dipped over the bar.
Scott Severin then caught Stevie Fulton in possession in his own penalty area but fired his shot past the far post.
It was no surprise when Hearts went ahead in the 13th minute with a simple goal.
Patrick Kisnorbo chipped a straight ball over the defence for de Vries to run onto. He had the freedom of Rugby Park to waltz round the stranded keeper and fire into the empty net.
Stamp, Severin and Neil Macfarlane were winning the battle in midfield and Kilmarnock were never an attacking threat in the first half.
The half-time scoreline had a more realistic look when de Vries nodded home the second from Joe Hamill's corner five minutes before the break.
Jim Jefferies was forced into the desperate measure of a triple change at half-time, but could not stem the maroon tide.
Kilmarnock tried to salvage some pride in the second half with a more spirited display, but were strictly second best to an in-form Tynecastle side, with Tepi Moilanen never stretched in the Hearts goal.
De Vries appeared to have secured his hat-trick in the final minutes only to be denied by the linesman's flag.