Dunfermline 1 Hearts 0

By Jon West, PA Sport

A bizarre goal from Jason Dair condemned Hearts to defeat at wind-swept Dunfermline on Wednesday.

Goalkeeper Antti Niemi allowed a cross from Dair to bounce into the net after it had eluded a penalty area full of players from both sides.

It showed a lack of communication in the Hearts back line, with Scotland squad regular Steven Pressley apparently ducking out the way as he expected his goalkeeper to collect.

That late first-half goal turned out to be the only one of the match, and the result does nothing to suggest caretaker manager Peter Houston is about to be installed permanently in the Tynecastle hotseat.

The first 45 minutes had been none too inspiring.

The home side established a firm lead when it came to the number shots at goal, but few of them troubled Niemi.

Eddie May, recalled for his first start since August 5, was guilty of inaccuracy on several occasions - and Hearts stalwarts Grant Murray and Gordan Petric got in the way of other efforts from Steve Crawford and Justin Skinner.

The Pars possessed in Chris McGroarty a player who was prepared to run at a defence, and Niemi was forced into a spectacular leaping catch from one early effort.

Hearts too were prepared to have a go.

Murray found goalkeeper Marco Ruitenbeek with the first shot in anger of the game when the angle was always going to be difficult, and geometry also defeated Andy Kirk when he fired over.

But as the first half neared a conclusion, Dair introduced himself with a cross that skimmed over the top of the Hearts defence and just eluded the on-rushing Barry Nicholson.

Then from his next effort - and from a similar position on the left - came his unexpected goal.

Hearts spent most of the second half attacking in search of an equaliser, and that suited the home side who were able to exploit the spaces on the break.

Colin Cameron had plenty of attempts. But few troubled Ruitenbeek, and Gordon Durie was rarely in the game.

Dunfermline could have doubled their lead on a number of occasions, and Dair almost beat Niemi with a rip-roaring effort that just cleared the bar.

Nicholson and Crawford were involved in an almighty scramble in the Hearts box, but all they ended up with was a knock each that needed treatment.

Hearts pushed men forward and were almost caught on the break when Ruitenbeek punched clear. Nicholson set up the counter with a clever turn and punt forward, and Crawford flicked on to put Lee Bullen away.

It was a move that cried out for a convincing finish, but Bullen fired straight at Niemi.

Teams:

Dunfermline Ruitenbeek, Skinner, Skerla, S. Thomson, Nicholson, Matthaei, May (McGarty 79), McGroarty (Boyle 54), Bullen, Crawford, Dair.

Subs Not Used: S. Thomson, Coyle, Graham.

Booked: Dair, Crawford.

Goals: Dair 40.

Hearts Niemi, Murray, Pressley, Locke, Petric, Severin (Tomaschek 62), Cameron (Neilson 87), Fulton, Juanjo, Kirk (McSwegan 62), Durie.

Subs Not Used: McKenzie, James.

Att: 5,642

Ref: W Young (Scotland).

Taken from sportinglife.com