Wyness sneaks Hearts winner

Hearts (1) 2 Partick (1) 1

Should John Robertson decide to make a case to prospective owner Vladimir Romanov to invest in his squad, he could use the video of this match as compelling evidence in his favour.

Although Dennis Wyness scored with two minutes remaining to clinch a home tie with Kilmarnock in the fourth round, this was an unimpressive display by the SPL outfit.

The visitors are battling to avoid relegation to the Second Division but Hearts rarely looked a class above. Ultimately in knock-out competitions, the result is all-important but Robertson will know that a marked improvement is required to progress.

Thistle manager Dick Campbell had promised to take the game to the home side and he proved as good as his word. The First Division side were aggressive and adventurous, snapping at their opponents' heels and hunting in packs.

Their adventurous approach paid dividends when they took an eighth-minute lead, although dilatory defending and the elements played a part. Partick's monolithic striker Armand One harassed Andy Webster into conceding a corner and Derek Fleming's inswinger was held up by the wind. Craig Gordon, attempting to tip the ball over, could only push it against his crossbar and One, loitering with intent, nodded home the rebound from close range.

Hearts supporters of a nervous disposition were not encouraged by two borderline refereeing decisions which went against them. First Paul Hartley was adjudged to be offside as he beat Grant Murray to Wyness's flick and shot past Kenny Arthur. Then Kevin McKenna sidefooted home from Ramon Pereira's cutback only for the assistant referee to signal that the Spaniard had allowed the ball to run out of play.

Undeterred, the home side continued to knock at the door and finally received the answer they were looking for seven minutes from the interval when Neil MacFarlane prodded the ball over the line after McKenna had knocked on a Phil Stamp corner.

Thistle were not prepared to accept the role of valiant losers, however, and the impressive One came close again in the 54th minute, turning Andy Webster before unleashing a fierce drive from 20 yards which Gordon, atoning for his previous gaffe, did supremely well to fingertip behind for a corner.

Hearts were enjoying the bulk of possession by then, however, and Hartley twice came within inches of scoring, first following a run which left three defenders in his slipstream and then with a wickedly dipping free-kick from 25 yards.

Match details

Hearts (4-4-2): Gordon; Neilson, Pressley, Webster, McAllister; Stamp. MacFarlane (Simmons 71), Hartley, Pereira (Hamill 71); McKenna, Wyness.
Subs: Moilanen (g), Weir, Berra.
Partick Thistle (4-4-2): Arthur; W Gibson (Strachan 89), Murray, Madaschi, Milne; Anis (A Gibson 77), Ross, Dowie (Fulton 71), Fleming; Escalas, One.
Subs: Pinkowski (g), Hinds.
Booked: Anis (44), Dowie (44). One (80).
Referee: C Mackay.

Taken telegraph.co.uk/sport