LIV AND LET DIE

Jan 26 2005

Late double puts another nail in coffin

Livingston 1 Hearts 2

HAPPY Hearts staged the most dramatic of late fightbacks to leave unlucky Livi rock bottom of the SPL last night.

Richard Gough thought his team had done enough to get themselves out of the relegation slot with a Derek Lilley goal.

But late strikes by Paul Hartley and Lee Miller left him cursing once again.

If anyone doubted Livi boss Gough's anger over his team's capitulation against Inverness Caley Thistle, the proof was there in his selection. Gough made a total of six changes.

Keeper Colin Meldrum was dropped to the bench along with two of Gough's recent Hungarian signings, Ferenc Horvath and Gabor Vincze.

Macedonian defender Goran Stanic, striker Jim Hamilton and flu-struck midfielder Stuart Lovell were missing altogether.

Roddy McKenzie took over between the sticks, with Oscar Rubio, on-loan Middlesbrough player Mark Wilson, Jason Dair, James McPake and Lilley filling the other five vacancies.

Hearts boss John Robertson made only two changes to the side that had drawn 1-1 with Dundee, Stephen Simmons replacing the injured Phil Stamp in midfield and Joe Hamill coming in for Ramon Pereira.

All eyes were on impressive Jambos midfielder Hartley who has been the subject of intense speculation over a possible move to Celtic.

Livi were first to threaten and Robbie Neilson was forced to foul Burton O'Brien outside the box after just five minutes.

O'Brien was none the worse for the experience and opted to take the kick himself.

He blasted the ball towards goal but a deflection took the sting out of his effort and Craig Gordon gathered easily.

Hartley then tried his luck from 25 yards with a free-kick but McKenzie saved comfortably.

Livi carved out an opening but McPake fired the ball across goal and Lilley was unlucky to see his effort hit Neilson.

Neither side was able to gain any real control and the game became a boring midfield battle.

Five minutes into the second period, Hartley burst through on goal. He was blocked but the ball broke to Simmons,who sliced his shot high and wide.

Webster was shown the yellow card for a crude tackle on Lilley and Gus Bahoken was next.

Simmons caused panic when his headed passback looked short but Gordon raced out to boot clear from the onrushing McPake.

Icelander Halmar Thorridson and Lithuanian player Saulinas Mikoliunas went on to make their first appearances for Hearts after 66minutes,Simmons and Wyness making way for them.

Livingston took a shock lead after 74 minutes. O'Brien's subtle chip into the box appeared to be handled by Jamie McAllister but as Hearts players stood awaiting a penalty award, Lilley sclaffed the ball past Gordon and referee Kenny Clark gave the goal.

It was a scrappy one but Hearts reacted positively and amazingly turned the game on its head with two goals inside as many minutes.

Hartley scored the first with a 20-yard free-kick in 84 minutes after a foul on him by Easton.

It was 2-1 after 86 minutes when Miller headed home a Hamill cross to leave bottom club Livi shattered again.

MAN OF THE MATCH Paul Hartley (Hearts) LIVINGSTON - McKenzie 6, Dorado 6, Bahoken 5 (Stanic 63, 4), Wilson 8, Dair 6, Rubio 6, Lilley 5, McPake (Horvath 77, 3) 6, Kriston 4 (Easton 73, 4), Hand 7, O'Brien 7. Subs not used: Meldrum, Brittain, Snodgrass,Vincze.

HEARTS - Gordon 7, Pressley 7,Webster 7(McKenna72, 3),Wyness5(Mikoliunas67, 3), Miller 6, Hartley 7, McFarlane 5, Neilson 5, McAllister 6, Simmons 5 (Thorarisson 67, 2), Hamill 5 Mikoliunas 4, Thorridson 4. Subs not used: Moilanen, Stewart, Berra, Elliot.

Referee - Kenny Clark.

Taken from the Daily Record