Frail gets to the Heart of the matter

Hearts 4
Nade (33 pen), Berra (96), Elliot (100, 112);

Dunfermline 1 (aet, 1-1 after 90 minutes)
Simmons (84)

NOTHING at Hearts is ever straightforward these days, even early rounds of the CIS Cup at home to lower-league opponents.

But character shone through in the end last night as the hosts refused to implode like they might have been expected to after conceding an equaliser six minutes from full-time. Oh, and let's hear it for Stephen Frail while we're at it.

Possibly the most telling moment of the whole game arrived during the brief respite at the end of regulation 90 minutes. Frail gathered his charges in the centre circle, barking instructions in an attempt to galvanise those whose nerves were fraying as a result of the 1-1 scoreline. Meanwhile, in the directors' box, all Angel Chervenkov could offer was a useless shake of the head as he reclined in his leather seat.

Even Anatoli Korobochka was compelled to swap the VIP area for the technical area as extra-time began, however, Frail's inspiring words had the desired effect. Twelve minutes into the additional 30, Hearts were enjoying a 4-1 advantage, slightly flattering though it was. The assistant coach had done his job.

He watched a Christophe Berra header and Calum Elliot's double take Hearts comfortably into Thursday's fourth-round draw but left the stadium acutely aware that his side had survived a massive fright against Stephen Kenny's energetic Dunfermline.

"It should have been wrapped up in 90 minutes," admitted Frail in relation to Hearts' profligacy in front of goal. "I know what can happen, it can be down to concentration and it's definitely a nervous thing. That's because our results are a wee bit inconsistent. We should take great confidence from the win. We played very well for long periods, played some good football and created chances. But if you don't take them they can come back and bite you and that's what happened. Thankfully we got three goals in extra-time."

Although the 30 minutes added time wasn't what the home side had planned, it could have a significant bearing on Elliot's season if he can build on the two goals he struck so crisply during the first period.

Frail added: "We obviously didn't want extra-time, you want to get it done in 90 minutes but, in a perverse way, it's worked for us because Calum gets two goals. I know he's a good football player but he's needed the goals. Hopefully that'll settle him down and he can go on a run and get more.He has got quality, he maybe just lacks that wee bit pace. Up top, he's very clever and plays in relation to other strikers. Some of the runs he makes are very clever."

Kenny felt 4-1 was an unjust scoreline and was right to be happy with the industry shown by his youthful side. "We brought four teenagers into the team because I thought we would need that injection of enthusiasm here," he said. "Scott McBride, Iain Williamson, Nicky Phinn and Calum Woods all did really well. Hearts had some chances to go 2-0 up but, after we scored, Darren Young got to the byline and pulled the ball back and Jim Hamilton was pulled down in the box. That was a penalty, you know, but it wasn't given. I know it's hard for the referee but the players say it was definite.

"I can't stand giving away goals from set-pieces and that's how we lost the second goal. After that it's very rare that the team that goes behind in extra-time comes back to win. We tried to, but they got a couple of quick goals and I thought 4-1 flattered Hearts."

Elliot returned to the starting line-up in front of a sparsely populated Tynecastle, many supporters arriving late after queuing to buy tickets well into the first half. The latecomers took their seats to learn Hearts had made six changes following Saturday's defeat at Inverness, and the industry shown by the restored midfield pairing of Eggert Jonsson and Michael Stewart allowed the hosts to seize the early initiative.

Christian Nade and Elliot resumed their attacking partnership, and Nade's close control and strength would prove problematic to Dunfermline all evening. Stephen Simmons, determined not to be undone at his former place of work, was cautioned for a reckless and late challenge on the striker in the 21st minute. On reflection, he might consider himself fortunate not to have seen a different colour of card.

Phinn's long-range drive soared only inches clear of the Hearts crossbar soon after as the visitors enjoyed better ball retention. Their case was helped by Stewart suffering a dead leg but remaining on the pitch for over ten minutes. He was eventually replaced by Ruben Palazuelos. That the Spaniard couldn't even manage a start against a First Division side raises questions over his signing in the first place, but he came on to give a competent if unspectacular performance.

His introduction allowed Hearts to move up a gear. Kestutis Ivaskevicius ghosted past three visiting players on the left flank and reversed the ball to Elliot. A cushioned touch took him past Woods and the defender's sliding challenge brought Elliot tumbling to the floor. Despite Dunfermline's appeals, referee Brian Winter had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Nade calmly rolled the ball to Paul Gallacher's right and accepted the deserved acclaim for a player with all the qualities to become the new darling of Tynecastle.

"It was a rash challenge and a penalty all right, I'm not denying that. We've conceded a lot of them lately," said Kenny afterwards.

Half-time arrived with Hearts in command but Dunfermline constructed their most fluent move of the game shortly after the restart. Scott McBride fed lone striker Tam McManus 20 yards out but as Stephen Crawford prepared to strike McManus' lay-off, Tomas Kancelskis stretched out his right foot for a strong blocking challenge. One-goal deficits are frustrating at the best of times but, in a knockout cup competition, the tension can take its toll. Simmons and Bamba became perfect examples of this as they argued over the midfielder's loose pass, and the defender required restraining by his team-mates to avert what would have been an embarrassing confrontation for Kenny.

The rest of the second half saw Hearts waste a collection of goalscoring opportunities. Kingston, Elliot - twice - and Nade were all guilty, all the while Kenny and his players were watching their hopes of an equaliser increase.

The hosts endured a desperate escape with just seven minutes remaining when McManus' free-kick rebounded off Banks' right-hand post. The goalkeeper was beaten on that occasion and minutes later he couldn't prevent a textbook equaliser. Substitute Owen Morrison's corner was glanced home by the head of Simmons, bringing extra-time and yet more unrest amongst Tynecastle regulars.

Whatever Frail had to say at that point had the desired effect. Dunfermline created decent opportunities for McManus and Hamilton at the start of extra-time but, after Gallacher diverted Audrius Ksanavicius' drive for a corner, Hearts scored their second. Kingston's set-piece landed on Andrius Velicka's head and Christophe Berra gratefully converted the Lithuanian's header for his first goal since being appointed club captain.

Progress was ensured when Elliot took Kingston's pass and drove the ball low into Gallacher's corner for the third. Two minutes later, the young striker doubled his tally from a similar angle just to emphasise how straightforward the evening could have been.

Taken from the Scotsman