Kilmarnock assistant manager Jimmy Nicholl played down Paulo Sergio’s refusal to shake Kenny Shiels’ hand before and after the 1-1 draw at Rugby Park.

A spat between Killie boss Kenny Shiels and Paulo Sergio before the game added a bit of extra spice to the match.

And Sergio blanked the Northern Irishman’s gesture both pre and post match.

"I expected it, we know what Kenny is like and the media love him, he comes out and says what he thinks," Nicholls said.

"I come in on a Monday morning and Kenny says, 'Jimmy I have opened my mouth again'.

"It's up for Paulo to decide whether to shake his hand, he has his principles and so does Kenny."

Nicholl was left to rue Hearts’ late equaliser in a heated clash at Rugby Park.

The hosts were reduced to ten men when Belgian striker Dieter van Tornhout received a second booking.

However Paul Heffernan fired the Ayrshire men ahead with ten minutes remaining.

Former Killie player Jamie Hamill then saw red before Suso Santana curled home in the last minute to give the Gorgie men a point.

Afterwards Nicholl explained his frustration with dropping two points.

He said: "I am really disappointed as the game didn't look like it was going anywhere and there were very few chances.

"The sending-off turned the game for us, we got a grip of the ball and the commitment and concentration levels got higher.

"When Jamie Hamill was sent off I thought that would be the game for us but we lost a silly goal from a simple cross, I thought we were going to hang on but that didn't happen."

IN DETAIL

• Match report: Kilmarnock 1-1 Hearts