Livingston 1 Hearts 1

Hearts' preparation for the new league campaign suffered a setback as they were held to a last-gasp draw by First Division Livingston.

A first-half goal by Marino Keith was enough to rattle the Edinburgh side as they struggled to find the back of the net.

But an Andy Kirk last-minute leveller snatched victory from Livingston.

Stephane Adam proved to be Hearts' danger man early in the first half when his shot inside the area was denied by keeper Neil Alexander after only eight minutes.

Adam proved to be a threat again after 22 minutes when his close-range effort crashed off the post before Alexander cleared to deny Gary McSwegan on the line.

Livingston had yet to have a clear chance at goal and it was a surprise when they took the lead three minutes before the break when Keith nodded home Derek Fleming's corner.

Hearts manager Jim Jefferies made six changes at the interval. The switches seemed to have an early impact when substitute Gary Locke's cross found fellow replacement Kenny Milne but his header was denied by the crossbar in 55 minutes.

Three minutes later Steve Fulton could have levelled but his 25-yard drive skimmed the crossbar.

The Premier League side should have snatched the equaliser when Kirk's shot cracked off the post before falling at Fulton's feet for the rebound, but Barry Wilson cleared off the line.

Kirk made no mistake however a minute before time when he ran clear on goal and flipped the ball past the keeper.


Taken from sportinglife.com