Two ordered off as Hearts edge home

14 Aug 1991

HEARTS came from behind to edge home in an exciting game which produced five goals, three penalty kicks, and two red cards.

The visitors came close in the opening minute, Derek Ferguson blasting narrowly over from a good position, and moments later Airdrie keeper Allen McKnight had to look sharp to foil Craig Levein.

However, Sammy Conn gave Airdrie the lead in five minutes when he was perfectly placed to shoot home after the defence failed to clear Sandy Stewart's cross.

Hearts came alive and a marvellous reflex save by McKnight denied Scott Crabbe.

But John Robertson levelled in 20 minutes with a hook shot after the keeper was unable to gather Ferguson's corner.

Airdrie missed a great chance to regain the lead three minutes later, Henry Smith saving Owen Coyle's penalty, which was awarded for a foul on Alan Lawrence by Levein.

The home side were reduced to 10 men in 33 minutes when Chris Honor was sent off for a foul on Crabbe, his second bookable offence.

The Diamonds suffered another setback a minute later, with Hearts going ahead from a Robertson penalty following a foul on Ian Baird.

Airdrie pushed forward as the interval approached and a fine run by Coyle looked promising before Levein cleared at the expense of a corner.

Coyle was in action again seconds from half-time, firing an excellent drive which was held in fine style by Smith.

Ian Baird added a third for Hearts in 48 minutes, forcing the ball over the line in a goalmouth scramble.

Airdrie almost scored when Crabbe kicked off the line from Davie Kirkwood but Lawrence did pull one back in 56 minutes from a penalty after he had been pulled down by Levein, for which the Hearts man was ordered off.

Conn headed narrowly over as Airdrie fought for the equaliser, and in the dying seconds a Lawrence drive was held on the line by Smith.

AIRDRIE -- McKnight, Kidd, Jack, Sandison, Honour, Conn, Lawrence, Balfour, Stewart, Coyle, Kirkwood.

Substitutes -- J Smith, Abercrombie.

HEARTS -- Smith, McLaren, Bannon, Levein, MacKay, McPherson, Crabbe, Ferguson, Baird, Millar, Robertson.

Substitutes -- Foster, Wright.

Referee -- G Evans, Bishopbriggs.

Taken from the Herald