Hearts ended their six-game losing streak thanks to a second-half goal from Lithuanian striker Andrius Velicka at Tynecastle.
The home side had to play for most of the match with ten men after Calum Elliot was sent off for two yellow cards in the first half.
Hearts were without suspended trio Michael Stewart, Lee Wallace and Marius Zaliukas after their red cards at Tannadice in midweek, plus the injured Ibrahim Tall and Andrew Driver.
Killie gave a debut to Martyn Corrigan, signed from Motherwell earlier in the week, as Fraser Wright was also out through suspension.
Hearts started briskly and Alan Combe had to leave his line sharply to save at the feet of Deividas Cesnauskis.
There was an escape for Killie in the 20th minute when a Cesnauskis corner came through a crowd of players and struck Christophe Berra at the back post, but the Hearts skipper knew little about it and the chance was lost.
Hearts had some momentum at this stage but failed to work Combe and Killie looked comfortable at the back.
There was plenty of energy about Hearts if little craft, but Cesnauskis provided a spark with a clever pass into Robbie Neilson but it just eluded the full back with Combe exposed.
Killie responded and Jamie Hamill thrashed a shot well over from the edge of the box which was at least a declaration of intent.Gary Locke then worked himself an opening from 25 yards but the ball was always going wide of Steve Banks' left-hand post.
Ruben Palazuelos finally had an effort on target for Hearts when he met Neilson's deep cross with his head but there was no power and Combe gathered easily.
Moments later, Combe produced a superb finger-tip save to deny Andrius Ksanavicius after the Lithuanian had galloped clear of the Killie defence.
Cesnauskis then had an even better shot but he directed it straight at Combe as Killie survived.
Then came Elliot's red card - six minutes after his first booking - when he produced a late challenge on Tim Clancy on the byline to leave John Underhill with no alternative but to produce a second yellow.
Killie took advantage and, in the final minute of the first half, Paul Di Giacomo struck after firing home from close range after a great cross from Hamill.
Hearts equalised after 63 minutes when Velicka scrambled the ball home after Berra had nodded a Cesnauskis header back across goal.
Combe denied Palazuelos and Christian Nade late on as Killie held on for a point.