Tod and Smith make Hearts pay

11 Sep 1996

Dunfermline 2, Hearts 1

DUNFERMLINE produced a fine second-half performance to gain their first premier division victory at East End Park last night.


Two goals in eight minutes just after half-time cancelled out David Weir's second-minute opener for Hearts and pushed the Fifers into sixth position in the table.


The equaliser came after 52 minutes as the Tynecastle side cracked after having conceded a series of corner kicks.


There seemed little danger as the ball fell to Andy Tod, but the defender sent a curling drive away from Gilles Rousset into the far corner of the net.


Hearts' defence was pierced again after an hour when Colin Miller's cross fell kindly for Andy Smith, who improvise well by squeezing a shot home from six yards with the aid of a slight defection.


Although unlucky in that instance, Hearts had only themselves to blame for losing their grip on a match which could scarcely have started more promisingly.


Their subsequent defeat robbed them of the chance to move ahead of Aberdeen into the top three, and once again underlined Hearts occasional inability to produce their finest form away from home.


After victories over St Johnstone and Dundee United, Hearts came to Fife at close to full strength, with only Jeremy Goss missing due to a thigh strain.


Another of Jim Jefferies's summer signings began the move which gave the club their dream start, as Darren Beckford fed Gary Mackay, whose cross was mis-punched by keeper Ian Westwater, allowing Weir to stoop and head home.


Dunfermline's response was instant and impressive.


Indeed, only a block from Dave McPherson and then a goal-line clearance by John Colquhoun prevented an equaliser for Gerry Britton and Smith respectively.


However, Hearts nearly stretched further ahead five minutes before the break when John Robertson curled a 25-yard free kick over the wall and flush on to the crossbar.


Having survived such a scare Dunfermline made a flying start to the second period, and a searching cross from Miller narrowly eluded Britton and Smith inside the penalty area.


The warning signs were not heeded by the visitors and only once Dunfermline had forged ahead did Hearts rediscover their urgency.


The introduction of Steve Fulton and Kevin Thomas for Colquhoun and Beckford was undoubtedly a bold move but did not alter the pattern of the contest.


DUNFERMLINE - Westwater, Miller, Fleming, Den Bieman, Tod, Robertson, Moore, Britton, Smith, French, Petrie.


Substitutes - Rice, Shaw, Bingham.


HEARTS - Rousset, Weir, Ritchie, Mackay, McPherson, Bruno, Colquhoun, Beckford, Robertson, Cameron, Pointon.


Substitutes - Fulton, Salvatori, Thomas.


Referee - R Tait (East Kilbride)