A late two-goal rally wasn't enough for Hearts to salvage a point from Kilmarnock on what was a miserable night for the majority of fans inside Tynecastle.
The Jambos remain rooted to the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table following a bruising home defeat to Alex Dyer's Killie side.
The visitors found themselves in front after 24 minutes thanks to a Stuart Fidnlay header. Chris Burke doubled their lead seven minutes before the break with a clever lob, and Eamonn Brophy shot straight through Hearts 'keeper Pereira to make it three five minutes into the second half.
With Hearts seemingly staring at another home defeat, they were offered a glimmer of hope when Sean Clare netted from the penalty spot in 79 minutes, with Killie keeper Laurentiu Branescu shown a second yellow in the aftermath for throwing the ball into the stands.
Craig Halkett pulled another goal back just two minutes from the end, but it wasn't enough to save Stendel's side from defeat.
Next up for Hearts is a Scottish Cup fifth round tie away to Falkirk on Saturday evening.
