HEARTS STILL BEATING FAST

DUNFERMLINE 1

HEARTS 2

HEARTS signalled their early title intent as they dug deep to snatch three points from a bad-tempered clash.

The visitors looked set to cruise to victory over 10-man Pars as they dominated after Roman Bednar's early opener.

But Valdas Ivanauskas' men were punished for failing to convert their possession into goals when former Jambo Stephen Simmons struck a second-half leveller.

And it looked as though two vital points might be tossed away until Michal Pospisil popped up with a crucial 76th-minute winner.

This opening day clash had every-thing, particularly in a blood-and-thunder second half, including a red card for sub Andy Tod who took out Julien Brellier shortly after Hearts' winner.

But when the dust settled Jambos were able to reflect on a good week after putting one foot in the third qualifying round of the Champions League with Wednesday's comfortable win over Bosnians Siroki Brijeg.

Match-winner Pospisil said: "It's too early to say if we can win the title but this was a good win.

"It's been an excellent week and now we must try to finish the job in Bosnia then think about AEK Athens.

"The team showed great team spirit to win, especially after Dunf ermline equalised. But you must always show that sort of character when you are away from home."

Dunf ermline lost all three games against the Jambos last season, conceding a whopping TEN goals and scoring just one so they had a point to prove here.

Their cause wasn't helped by a lengthy injury list but there was good news when Souleymane Bamba was given international clearance and striker Noel Whelan's signing was completed, allowing both to start.

However, Pars were dealt a blow with just five minutes on the clock when debutant Whelan (below right) limped off injured. And things went from bad to worse just 10 minutes later as they slumped a goal behind.

Keeper Roddy McKenzie committed himself to reaching Neil McCann's long through ball before realising he couldn't get there ahead of Pospisil.

That left him dreadfully exposed and as he tried to race back to his line Czech ace Pospisil picked out countryman Bednar in the middle to knock the ball home.

It was bad judgment from McKenzie who just 60 seconds earlier had pulled off a brilliant point-blank stop from Bednar's close-range header following a Saulius Mikoliunas cross.

Hearts had virtually all the play in the first half and McKenzie was forced to produce a good save 10 minutes before the break from a swirling Bruno Aguiar drive.

Bruno Aguiar then had a free-kick well held by the keeper that meant the visitors, for all their pressure, still went in at half-time with just one goal to show for their dominance.

After the restart Hearts continued to throw everything at Dunfermline's goal.

And McCann almost grabbed a second only for his thunder drive to thud back off the underside of the bar.

At the other end Simmons had a rare chance for Jim Leishman's side when he raced in behind the visitors' defence.

Craig Gordon pushed his effort behind but it was from the resulting corner that the Fifers grabbed an equaliser as Simmons came back to haunt his former employers.

Scott Muirhead floated a corner in from the right and the midfielder's downward header bounced over Aguiar who was guarding the post and high into the net.

That opened the game up and Pars could even have added a second when Freddie Daquin was put through with only the keeper to beat.

However, he wasted the chance by taking the ball too wide as he rounded Gordon.

Victory was there for the taking and Hearts obliged with a killer second goal 14 minutes from time. Bamba fouled Mikoliunas on the edge of the box and Aguiar cracked the free-kick off the woodwork.

As the ball rebounded back into play Pospisil was first to react and he prodded home with his effort just sneaking over the line before the Pars defenders could clear.

It was a blow for the home side and sub Tod's frus trations soon boiled over. He scythed down Brellier with 10 minutes left to earn a red card and cap a miserable day.

MATCH STATS

SHOTS ON 4

SHOTS OFF 5

OFFSIDE 2

FOOTS 24

CORNERS 9

BOOKINGS 5

DUNFERMLINE v HEARTS

SHOTS ON 5

SHOTS OFF 5

OFFSIDE 3

FOOTS 12

CORNERS 4

BOOKINGS 3

REFWATCH

Supporting the 23rd Man

BRIAN WINTER kept his cards in his pocket for as long as possible. But he lost composure as the tackles began flying in and ended up dishing out eight yellows plus a late red to Pars stopper Andy Tod. Poor second-half display let the whistler down. Rating: 6/10.

Taken from the Sunday Mail