Dunfermline Ath 1 - 0 Hearts

MARK WILSON at East End Park September 20 2004

IT always looked as though it would take something special to earn Dunfermline a first league win of the season and Barry Nicholson duly obliged to defeat a radically-changed Hearts side.

With only two points and two goals from their last five matches, voices of discontent against David Hay's management had echoed around East End Park recently. This victory, earned by Nicholson's splendid second-half strike, will ease that pressure. It also had the important impact of lifting Dunfermline off the foot of the Bank of Scotland Premierleague and into ninth position.

Vladimir Romanov, the Lithuanian banker attempting to take over Hearts, had been expected to attend the match but didn't. Perhaps he has a crystal ball as well as bucketloads of money.

It is believed, however, that he will hold discussions this week with the Scottish Media Group and former chairman Leslie Deans, both of whom hold significant stakes in the Tynecastle club.

Were he to be successful in obtaining their entire block of shares, he would comfortably hold in excess of the 29.9% required by stock market rules to force an offer for the remainder.

Hay revealed afterwards that he had banished the nerves within his squad with a frank discussion prior to the match, a factor evident in their performance after Gary Dempsey had spurned the chance to open the scoring from the spot.

"We spoke about it at length this week about how to come through it," said Hay. "It was about character and resilience and the players showed a lot of both. I'm pleased for the players, supporters and the chairman – victories are good for the chairman from a manager's point of view. We have to build on this now."

Craig Levein made six changes from the side that recorded an impressive 3-1 win over SC Braga in the first leg of their UEFA Cup first round tie, with Steven Pressley and Mark de Vries among those dropping out. Craig Sives, the young defender making his competitive debut, had the game's first real opening on nine minutes, showing good chest control to gather Michael Stewart's free-kick before fluffing an attempt on goal.

The first half descended into scrappy fare, although Dunfermline did come close to a goal after 34 minutes. Hearts' revamped defence stood static under Dempsey's corner and it took a goal-line clearance from Robbie Neilson to thwart Billy Mehmet's looping header.

Dunfermline were handed the perfect opportunity three minutes into the second period when Gary Dempsey was bundled over inside the penalty area. The Irish midfielder took the spot-kick himself but Craig Gordon produced a fine save to rescue Hearts.

Hay's side had to wait until the 65th minute for the breakthrough, executed with panache by Nicholson. He cut out a pass from Alan Maybury and, spotting Gordon fractionally out of position, lofted a superb right-foot shot over the goalkeeper's head.

"It was one of my better goals," said Nicholson. "But the most important thing was getting that first win. Everyone in the dressing room wanted it and I am delighted for the manager and the backroom staff."

Hearts staged a futile late rally and Levein said afterwards he had taken a necessary gamble in making wholesale changes.

"We have a number of boys being troubled by wee knocks and strains. A combination of that and the pitch here made me leave them out. Unfortunately, it didn't work and we have no complaints."

Taken from the Herald