Dunfermline 2 Hearts 1

By Lisa Gray, PA Sport

Hearts' poor run continued when they slumped to defeat at the hands of Dunfermline at East End Park.

The Tynecastle side had fought back from a goal down when Alan Maybury cancelled out Derek Young's opener but a Scott Wilson header won the points for the Pars.

For the early part of the season, Hearts had looked every inch the 'third force' in Scottish football and had even managed a stunning UEFA Cup victory over Bordeaux on French soil.

But recent weeks have seen their form go awry in no fewer than three competitions.

Hearts' European dream was ripped apart when they were outclassed by Bordeaux in front of their own supporters in the return leg and the slump continued into the league when they were defeated by struggling Dundee United a few days later.

Most recently they were dumped out of the CIS Insurance Cup by Dundee - a side recently plunged into administration and forced to release 15 players.

Their first game against the Pars on their new plastic pitch gave Hearts the opportunity to get their league campaign back on track at least and they had the first chance of the game when referee Charlie Richmond handed them a free-kick 25 yards out.

Paul Hartley took the set-piece but the effort was comfortably held by Pars goalkeeper Derek Stillie.

Dunfermline missed a great opportunity when a Derek Young ball was flicked into the path of Craig Brewster by Stevie Crawford but the veteran striker sent the ball across the face of goal and just wide of the post.

It was Dunfermline who took the lead in impressive style after 21 minutes when Crawford's back-heeled pass was met by Derek Young who bulleted home the opener from eight yards.

Hearts had at least their fair share of possession leading up to half-time but they were struggling to create much in the way of clear-cut chances.

However, a free-kick 35 yards out gave the Tynecastle side the chance to put Dunfermline under pressure after Neil MacFarlane had been brought down and Hearts did not disappoint the travelling support.

Hartley played the free-kick short to Alan Maybury who sent his long, low shot straight through the crowd of bodies in the box and into the back of the net four minutes before the interval.

Hearts should have taken the lead three minutes after the restart when Severin played a superb ball through to Graham Weir and he burst into a run that took him from the midfield into the 18-yard box.

He only had goalkeeper Stillie to beat but still managed to fire just wide of the target and the chance was lost.

The Pars surged into the lead again when Darren Young flighted a free-kick into the box and Scott Wilson was allowed a free header to nod home from six yards after 62 minutes.

Only the woodwork prevented Hearts from drawing level five minutes later when Maybury's shot cracked off the crossbar. Hartley failed to connect properly for the rebound and Dunfermline managed to clear the danger.

Maybury and Derek Young were both booked with 20 minutes remaining when they lashed out at each other, joining Hartley in the referee's book following his earlier caution.

With time running out, Hearts pushed forward and they came close when Maybury picked out Austin McCann at the back post only for him to fire well wide from close range.

With a minute to go, Hearts could have snatched a share of the spoils when Andy Webster set up Weir for the shot but he stabbed his effort wide of the target.

Teams

Dunfermline Stillie, Skerla, Scott Wilson, Tod, Grondin (Bullen 45), Nicholson, Mason, Darren Young, Derek Young (Labonte 90), Crawford, Brewster (Hunt 61).

Subs Not Used: Ruitenbeek, Dempsey.

Booked: Brewster, Derek Young.

Goals: Derek Young 21, Scott Wilson 62.

Hearts Gordon, Maybury, Webster, Kisnorbo, Neilson, Severin, MacFarlane (Valois 81), Hartley (Wales 87), McCann, McKenna, Weir.

Subs Not Used: Moilanen, Wyness, Berra.

Booked: Hartley, Maybury.

Goals: Maybury 41.

Att: 6,199

Ref: C Richmond (Scotland).

Taken from sportinglife.com