Hearts 1 Coventry 0

It was Hearts' first home game since their momentous triumph over Rangers in May, although in a dull first half Coventry went closest to scoring with Dion Dublin twice denied by goalkeeper Giles Rousset.

Gary Naysmith then produced a goal-saving tackle on Coventry's Belgian midfielder Philippe Clement after 22 minutes.

Hearts' best chance came in the 33rd minute when Stephane Adam turned David Burrows inside out and Gary Locke sent in a cross which Thomas Flogel headed just over.

The game came to life after the interval with Jim Hamilton and Adam going close for Hearts and Marcus Hall forcing a save from Rousset at the other end.

Then after 70 minutes McCann gave Hearts the lead when he rounded Magnus Hedman after running onto Hamilton's pass.

Steve Fulton had a 30-yard shot saved by Hedman after 77 minutes and then Dublin missed two excellent chances to equalise for Coventry.

First his powerful 81st-minute header was well saved by Rousset and three minutes later the England striker somehow managed to miss from five yards.

With just two minutes left Darren Huckerby showed great improvisation to create an excellent chance but then saw his shot bounce off the underside of the bar.

Coventry boss Gordon Strachan, meanwhile, got a ticking-off from referee Kenny Clark for disputing an offside decision.


Taken from sportinglife.com