Livingston 0 Hearts 2

By Ian Rodgers, PA Sport

Two lapses of concentration cost Livingston dearly as they crashed out of the CIS League Cup to Hearts.

Scotland internationals Colin Cameron and Gary Naysmith taught the Almondvale side a lesson in focusing on the game in each half to guide the Jambos into the last eight of the competition.

Cameron was clearly buoyed by his second-half appearance for the national team in the World Cup qualifier on Saturday and celebrated his best performance of a personally below-par season with a 15th-minute strike after a routine Livvy free-kick fell apart on the edge of the Hearts area.

And fellow second-half sub Naysmith, put speculation about his Tynecastle future behind him when he reacted quickly nine minutes into the second period.

Both Cameron and Naysmith have had their careers under the microscope recently as the Edinburgh side reel under a financial crisis with both linked with moves away from the capital.

But both players, particularly man of the match, Cameron, put talk to one side to help negotiate their side through the potential minefield of a trip to Almondvale.

Hearts showed their Premier League credentials as early as the eighth minute when Thomas Flogel's header dropped onto the roof of the net.

But it was not long before the Jambos earned the goal which their early dominance had deserved in a lesson Livvy must learn if they are to attain and survive promotion to the top flight.

John Anderson tried to find McCulloch to his right from a free-kick but Juanjo dispossessed the midfielder and raced clear.

The winger rode the challenge of Sean Sweeney before laying the ball off to Cameron on his right and the midfielder struck the ball firmly past Neil Alexander.

But the goal did spur the home side into action and Allan McManus tested Antti Niemi with a dipping cross-cum-shot which the Finnish international needed dexterity to hold.

And the Premier League side almost saw their lead annulled in the 27th minute when Bingham met Fleming's free-kick with a glancing header.

Niemi was beaten but the ball flew just inches wide of the left-hand upright.

But Hearts proved that they were capable of matching Livingston in the mistake count when Steven Pressley and Grant Murray became entangled with each other.

But Pressley managed to recover in time before the Livvy strike force closed down.

McSwegan was unfortunate to hit the crossbar with six minutes remaining of the half after a great ball by Juanjo had afforded him time in the area.

But Hearts virtually secured their passage into the last eight in the 54th minute.

Flogel moved towards the Livingston area and appeared to be brought down by McManus.

But, as the First Division side looked to the referee for a decision, Naysmith latched on to the free ball and drilled it past Alexander.

Frustration was beginning to seep into Livvy's play and Wilson was cautioned for a dreadful challenge on Fulton which left the midfielder writhing on the floor.

But Livvy's experienced management team of Jim Leishman and David Hay must teach their side to match their ambition with concentration if the heights of the Premier League are to be attained and maintained.


Taken from sportinglife.com