Elliot's double rekindles hope for Hearts

By Moira Gordon
at Caledonian Stadium
STEVIE Frail had demanded a reaction from his team after their humiliation at the hands of Rangers on Wednesday night.
The fans simply demanded more cut and thrust. In the end they all got what they wanted.

Two goals from Calum Elliot also helped calm fears that the side lacks a goal-getter following the departure of top scorer Andrius Velicka.

Not of the Lithuanian's class, he was still on hand yesterday to ensure that all three points went back to Edinburgh with Hearts and kept alive the hopes of a top-six finish. For Inverness that target is becoming increasingly distant.

The opening goal came in the 21st minute when an Andrew Driver corner was swung into the area and found an unmarked and appreciative Christos Karipidis.

His header left the home keeper Michael Fraser with no chance.

It was a lead that was pretty much justified on the evidence of the early play, with Hearts the more adventurous side. It was the first real shot on target from either side, though, and with the second Hearts had doubled their advantage.

It was a beautifully carved out goal and one which reminded sceptics that Christian Nade has the skills to do a job for the capital side whenever he can be bothered harnessing them to some endeavour.

Yesterday, Salius Mikoliunas made the quick break and played him in and not only did he did make the run, covering plenty ground, but he also beat Inverness defenders Phil McGuire and Grant Munro as he homed in on goal, before presenting Elliot with a perfect cross ball delivery.

While Russell Duncan was tracking back he couldn't do anything to stop the striker's first time, right-footed effort which he slammed the ball past Fraser.

It was Elliot's first league goal for the Tynecastle side in two years and the ideal confidence boost for both forwards after their impotent display on Wednesday night.

It wasn't the first time in recent weeks where Inverness gave the opposition a two-goal start before taking an interest in a match.

Spurred on by the Hearts goals they forced their way into the play, with Don Cowie and hitting just wide of Steve Banks' goal in the 36th minute. Three minutes later the same player took advantage of indecision in the Hearts rearguard but having done enough to earn himself a shot at goal he sclaffed at it and failed to connect properly.

But it wasn't the worst case of profligacy.

As the final minutes of the first half ebbed away, Dougie Imrie sent in a cross from wide on the right and it seemed a certainty that Marius Niculae would reduce the scoreline deficit. Instead he managed to get under the ball, and failed to get the power and direction necessary.

A minute later it was Ross Tokely's turn to be the provider and pl
ayed a pass into the six yard box but although the striker slid into meet it, he managed to again get under it and scoop it away from the goal.

Two golden chances but no goals and after finishing the first half so promisingly it was a blow to concede another goal so soon after the restart. It was Elliot who again did the damage, showing great awareness and a deft finish. It was again Mikoliunas who had applied the initial pressure but when the ball was cleared it was only as far as Elliot and rather than skelp it or play it back into the melee of men, he saw that Fraser was off his line and chipped the ball into the back of the net. One goal in two years and then suddenly two in one game. No wonder the fans were treating him to one or two chants in his favour.

It was the killer blow for Inverness but a reminder that while Hearts were down after Wednesday night, they aren't out.

Taken from the Scotsman