Three Down at Tynecastle

Colin Meldrum’s appearance for the injured Graeme Smith was the only alteration to the team but our settled outfielders had little luck.

Big Jim heads high

The first half had an explosive start. It was immediately obvious that both teams meant business and that there would be lots of pressing and fierce tackling ahead. In three minutes we had what was to be our best chance of the game. Foran floated a perfect cross to McDonald on the six yard line. His downward header struck the base of Gordon’s left hand post and trickled along the goal line to a relieved keeper who cleared.. Hearts counter attack produced the opener. Skacel’s shot was parried by Meldrum and Jankauskas needed no invitation to finish.

The ref calms the tempers

Ten minutes later he scored a fine second when presented with an unchallenged chance from eighteen yards. The ball was still rising as it flew past Meldrum.

We battled on and a couple of chances fell to Hamilton before the break - high header and a shot from the edge of the box.

A few bruising battles were ongoing throughout the game and Hearts were fortunate to keep eleven men on the park when Foran was felled by Cesnauskis when the ball was out of play.

There was little chance of pattern in the second half. Hearts looked dangerous on the break and their pace caused our central defence a few shaky moments. McGarry replaced McDonald as Terry tried to get the goal which would put us back in the game. We hit the woodwork again when a Craigan heaqder from a Kerr free kick hit the junction of post and bar and that was as close as we came to a goal in the second half. After a careless loss of possession from an attacking free kick we fell three behind when Elliott lobbed Meldrum. There was no was back.

Results elsewhere did us no favours and we now have to rely on some serious collapses from others if we are to have any hope of making the top half.