Brewster unhappy with just a share

MARK WOODS AT PITTODRIE

INVERNESS CT 1 Juanjo 67 pen
HEARTS 1 Hartley 61 pen

ON certain days like this, a manager will happily accept a stalemate as a means of preserving his own honour and that of his team, comfortable that a defeat avoided is better than the proverbial kick in the teeth.

Facing the side which he left only recently, John Robertson was one of those types yesterday, even though Hearts have fallen further off the pace in the chase for a presumed UEFA Cup spot. Perhaps they had one eye too many on forthcoming European adventures. Reduced to ten men following Andy Webster’s first half dismissal, the capital club truly rode their luck to a point which few would suggest was deserved.

Inverness boss Craig Brewster was not so full of gratitude for a share of the spoils. Afforded the opportunity to field the same line-up which crafted a credible draw against Rangers last weekend, he ably pitted his wits against his predecessor in the job and was not bested in the slightest. Much of that was down to Juanjo, hero past or present to all watching on. The Spanish forward impressed during his stay at Tynecastle, albeit with sporadic inconsistency. Starting as he meant to go on, he imposed himself upon Steven Pressley and Andy Webster, bustling and hustling incessantly all afternoon in his team’s cause.

Try as he might, not everything went his way. The travelling Hearts faithful were flashed back to the past early on when the Spaniard scampered clear of the Jambos’ defence, courtesy of an immaculately timed burst and Graham Bayne’s equally astute lob. With only Craig Gordon in his way, there seemed no prospect of a reprieve but in trying to round the keeper, he stumbled to spurn the chance.

Still though, the hosts kept up their lively approach. If this is the philosophy of Brewster, long may it continue. Even when an injury to Grant Munro forced his impromptu withdrawal, Caley confidently continued to attack while soaking up any sniff of Hearts’ initiative in the midfield. Stuart Golabek troubled Gordon again with a spinning free kick but it was a mass fracas 12 minutes before half-time which did most to undermine the visitors.

Chasing a stray ball in tandem, Webster knocked Bayne into the pitchside wall with what appeared to be undue malevolence. The pair’s scuffle was further inflamed when Patrick Kisnorbo and Golabek began a fray of their own, arms swung with visible intent. The officials’ intelligent intervention speedily ceased hostilities with the Frenchman fortuitous to merely receive a yellow card. The Scotland defender, though, was dismissed for his actions, forcing a reshuffle which brought Kisnorbo back to partner Pressley.

The contretemps further enlivened the Thistle supporters. In addition to the inevitable boorish barbs directed towards Robertson, their massed voices were signalling that the tantalising possibility of their team’s return to whence it came is clearly an agreeable one.

Juanjo once more tantalised when he clipped a deft cross from Richard Hart just outside the upright. Then in added time, Tokely continued to stretch Hearts’ back four, despatching towards Bayne who rose above Robbie Neilson to head powerfully downward, Gordon reacting superbly to grasp on the line.

Robertson, utilising an insider’s knowledge of Caley’s capabilities, opted to tinker further during the interval. Off came the ineffectual Dennis Wyness and Ramon Pereira. On trotted Michael Stewart and Graham Weir to add a briskness which had hitherto been sorely lacking in the absence of the injured Phil Stamp.

Inverness did try their luck first with a long-range effort from Keogh which soared just over the bar and were unfortunate when a splendid three-man break, started by Bayne, was stifled by Kisnorbo. However fortune swayed subsequently in their favour when Tokely’s inattention allowed Joseph Hamill to send Weir on a solo spurt but the young striker could only clip wide.

That luck did not hold past the 61st minute. Again, Brewster’s men were careless, Golabek the offender this time when his back header was gratefully intercepted by Weir. He was running wide but foolishly, Mark Brown dived at his feet. Down he went to howls of suspicion but it allowed Paul Hartley to rifle in a penalty, his tenth goal of this campaign, to give the visitors an undeserved lead.

How frustrating it was for Thistle. Golabek consequently vented his ire on Weir, earning each a booking as they shoved back and forth amid an ever-expanding scrum. Again a cool head clad in black applied a soothing balm to the situation. Yet the officials were soon forced to intervene at the other end as Hearts squandered their precious advantage.

Juanjo, predictably, was the catalyst. Cutting a dash into the box, he was the meat in a sandwich between Kisnorbo and Stewart and was squeezed viciously to the ground. Gleefully, he scampered over to the spot and with minimal ado took his season’s tally to five when he slotted beyond Gordon to restore parity.

It was no less than the Highlanders deserved, yet Hearts so nearly poached all three points in the closing stages.

Ritchie’s inswinging corner was met by the marauding Pressley who nodded toward the top corner. Well-positioned, Roy McBain’s forehead blocked its path into the net, Caley surviving with something to show for their brave endeavours.

Taken from the Scotsman