Hearts 2-0 Gretna

Andrius Velicka grabbed both goals, in the 2nd and 41st minutes, spurning the chance to add a couple more, as did others. Gretna had few chances, and seem resigned to returning to Division One.

The sun was shining on Tynecastle for the first time since...well, in quite a while. Certainly the Jambos entered this match in the best shape they've been against Gretna since the 1-1 trilogy started back in May 2006. Two wins on the bounce in the league had gone some way to revitalising the squad, but the Borders outfit are a tough nut to crack.

Or were they? Two minutes in and Andrius Velicka had already hit the side netting and subsequently put us ahead. His first chance was after Stewart had played him through and he beautifully rounded Fleming but took it just a bit too wide before placing the ball the wrong side of the post. Less than a minute later he had converted what was arguably a more difficult opportunity - played through again, he was on his weaker left foot at a similar acute angle. This time however, he blasted the ball past the Gretna keeper and into the top corner. Smashing stuff, quite literally.

Christos Karipidis comes close to scoring - this header was well saved

It settled our nerves, as we had just been pondering a similar start against Gretna at Tynecastle back in August, when we again could have been ahead after merely seconds, and struggled afterwards as a result of missing the chance. Plucky Gretna were on the back foot for sure, although they weren't going to take it lying down, as the wild-haired John Paul Kissock showed by roughly dispossessing Palazuelos and starting a counter-attack that eventually fizzled out.

Kissock was again central to Gretna's creative play when he picked up on Banks's weak punch from a corner and looped the ball to the back post. Deuchar was lurking and his giant frame ensured he got a header at goal, just over the bar.

Neither team was being instrumental in breaking down their opponents, with Ksanavicius being the worst offender in this period of the game. He was presented with a chance to run at goal and when Aurelien Collin slipped he could have got away a decent shot at Fleming, had he not dithered. Collin, clearly struggling with a leg problem, was withdrawn moments later.

Fleming produced a wonderful save from Karipidis's header, following good set piece work from Ksanvicius and Driver. The sturdy Gretna keeper has always been a reliable performer against Hearts, and it was most definitely not going to be a walk in the park to beat him again.

Cesnauskis goes past Danny Hall

Referee Charlie Richmond gave the crowd a laugh when he totally failed to control the ball that was kicked to him by Fleming. To be fair he displayed a sense of humour and grinned about it, something you don't always associate with our officials. Half an hour in and there wasn't much funny about the game - a storming start had been replaced with a more languid approach from Hearts. There was little rapid movement and on several occasions the lack of looking up meant players in very good positions weren't picked out.

A defensive mix-up amongst Gretna's back line allowed Ksnavicius's miscontrol to let in Driver for a clear shot at goal, on the edge of the box. Ironically, given how the chance was set up, Driver's effort was probably too good and went narrowly over. A less true connection would have resulted in a better end product.

Hearts were awarded a penalty in the 41st minute when a delightful curved ball from Shammy on the byline was timed perfectly to meet the run of Velicka from twelve yards. Or it would have been if Danny Hall hadn't brought Andrius down as he prepared to let fly with his boot. Some referees would have shown a red card, Mr Richmond merely flashed yellow, although it didn't matter as our top scorer drilled the spot kick home (Fleming went the right way but it was too powerful) for his 14th goal of the season.

The half time break came and went, with a relatively contented Tynecastle enjoying some of the wee Hearts laddies playing an exhibition match on the halfway line. Gretna came out early for a warm up, something they did at Fir Park back in November. It helped them to equalise early that day and to be fair, they began the second period at a frantic pace. Hearts held firm, restricting them to just one half-chance, a 25 yard drive from Paul Murray, which went a fair bit wide.

Andrius Velicka puts Hearts in front

Again, our inability to make the right choice was evident on 55 minutes - neat work from Shammy played in Driver who broke clear down the left channel. Velicka was with him, in behind the defence but also onside...by the time the ball was delivered Gretna had recovered and cleared the danger. Andrius was on hand to volley wide moments later, and Cesnauskis was teed up brilliantly by Ksnavicius but blasted wildly over. The match could have been wrapped up by now, but that would have been too easy, as Buscher reminded us when his shot was parried at the near post by Banks.

Danny Hall had escaped the ultimate punishment when he conceded the penalty but he could not be saved after brutally hauling down Ksnavicius on the edge of the box. There were no protests from his team mates, who were focusing on the fact their task had now been made much more difficult. Driver's free kick was narrowly over.

2-0 is never the most comfortable lead, even against the basement side who have only ten men. A third goal was needed, which we almost got when Driver stormed through the middle of the park, feeding in substitute Mikoliunas, whose effort was blocked well by Fleming and then tidied up by Naughton. Miko had another decent penalty shout when bundled over as he raced into the box in the 76th minute - not as clear cut as the one in Aberdeen maybe but one that another player might have been awarded.

Velicka scorned the chance of a hat-trick with nine minutes remaining. Mikoliunas dithered forever on releasing his compatriot and it was up to another maroon jersey to oblige. Once this was done Velicka could only see glory and as his shot went narrowly wide, a disappointed Calum Elliot could only wonder why he had not been squared to.

Andrius Velicka comes close to scoring

Right after Miko had again forced a good block from Fleming, Tynecasle was heartened to see the return of Neil McCann, on for the tiring Stewart. The chances kept being spurned, as Miko took forever to control Driver's cross when he had acres in which to play. This game may have been nearing the end so the tension wasn't high, but Hearts have got to take more of their opportunities if they are to progress up the league table.

However, when we did score again, it was ruled out for offside. An outrageous piece of skill from Miko allowed his cross to be headed into Velicka's path by Calum Elliot. The finish was grand, shame he was ajudged to have been ahead of play. We can't fault the effort today, the performance was solid, three wins out of three and three clean sheets in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. All very good. Still a lot to polish though.

Hearts: Banks; Neilson, Karipidis, Berra, Goncalves; Cesnauskis (Mikoliunas, 70), Stewart (McCann, 83), Palazuelos, Driver; Ksanavicius (Elliot, 77), Velicka. Subs not used: Basso, Wallace, Beniusis, Zaliukas.

Gretna: Fleming; Naughton, Collin (Barr, 22), Innes, Hall; Buscher, Skelton, Murray (Wilkinson, 77), Griffiths (Meynell, 58); Kissock, Deuchar. Booked: Hall, Meynell, Naughton. Sent off: Hall. Subs not used: Krysiak, McGill, Deverdics, Makinwa.

Referee: Charlie Richmond

Top man: Andrius Velicka

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