Hearts 0-0 Falkirk

Euan Mclean At Tynecastle

HEARTS 0

FALKIRK 0

GUTTED Stevie Frail fears selling star striker Andrius Velicka could cost Hearts a place in the top six.

Yesterday's toothless Jambos display, without a hint of invention in the last third, put a massive dent in their hopes of catching Falkirk.

Hearts dominated possession but never looked like making it count.

The chorus of boos that followed the disjointed home side up the tunnel told the story of their fading hopes of finding some consolation to a dreadful season.

And they deserved no more than a point against well-organised Falkirk who might have nicked a win in the second half.

Frail admitted young striker Calum Elliot's confidence is taking a hammering from Hearts fans' barracking.

And the caretaker boss feared Vladimir Romanov's decision to sell star striker Velicka to Viking Stavanger in February could ultimately cost them dear. He said: "It's a major blow and I'm very frustrated that we controlled the game for large periods without creating many chances.

"We picked the wrong option in the final third and didn't put Falkirk under enough pressure at the back.

"We huffed and puffed for large periods and I'm disappointed we didn't get a goal. The decision to sell Andrius might cost us but he is gone.

"He was a good player and was having a great season - but he's no longer at Tynecastle and we can't hanker for things that aren't there.

"After every draw or defeat we can't keep saying 'I wish we had Andrius Velicka'. Where are you going to stop?

"We were short up front because Christian Nade was out and Calum is struggling with confidence big time.

"The boy is a good player but he's definitely suffering from a lack of confidence - and no wonder.

"Against Inverness he played well under less pressure being away from home but Nade got all the plaudits.

"He's a strong boy and hopefully things will turn for him. It doesn't help any player to have fans on his back. The fans pay their money and are entitled to criticise but it just makes matters worse."

Elliot's turmoil was clear from early on when a great opportunity went begging after nine minutes.

Taking possession 30 yards out with Laryea Kingston forward in support, he had the option to slide the Ghana ace clear on goal or go himself - but dithered too long before opting to try his luck.

That gave defender Darren Barr time to get back and block his weak shot - and the best chance of the game was gone.

The home support's frustration turned to fury soon after when Saulius Mikoliunas' first-time strike crashed off Robert Olejnik racing from his box.

The fans claimed the keeper had blocked with his hand - but the ball clearly hit the outside of the keeper's shoulder and referee Charlie Richmond was bang on to ignore the howls.

Deividas Cesnauskis limped off with a hamstring strain early on and was replaced by Audrius Ksanavicius, who just didn't offer enough in an advanced midfield role supporting Elliot.

Falkirk rarely got forward in the first half but kept it tight and soaked up all that Hearts could throw at them.

And against the run of play Scott Arfield's dipping drive from25 yards fizzed just wide of Hearts' goal.

Gerard Aafjes copped a booking on the stroke of half-time for persistent fouling of Kingston but a more positive Bairns side re-emerged for the second half.

Kenny Milne had his gaffer John Hughes punching the away dug-out in frustration when he failed to keep down his shot after Arfield's tantalising cross into the box broke to him on the 18-yard line.

The atmosphere on the opposite bench can't have been much better as Hearts' moves broke down in the final third.

Elliot bore the brunt of the fans' flak and his miserable day ended after 67 minutes when he was replaced by Jamie Mole.

Falkirk swapped Carl Finnigan for Pedro Moutinho just before Tam Scobbie earned a booking for cynically taking out Kingston as he broke from midfield.

Another change - Arnau Riera for Kevin McBride for the last 10 minutes - was followed by another booking, this time for Marius Zaliukas.

The inclusion of Fernando Screpis for Kingston in the last minute only wasted more time for Hearts as the clocked ticked down on a dire display.

REF WATCH

CHARLIE RICHMOND took pelters from Hearts fans but their anger was misplaced. This was a strong display by the whistler who was bang on with most decisions, consistent with his bookings and let the game to flow. Rating: 7/10

Taken from the Sunday Mail