SV Wiesbaden 2-1 Hearts

From Hearts News at the Stadion am Hallberg, Wehen

Hearts kicked off their final tour game tonight against SV Wiesbaden with one change from the team that started Friday evening's game against Kaiserslautern. Matej Rapnik came in for the injured Lee Wallace with Hearts adopting a 4-4-2 formation.

And the Bundesliga 2 team took only 18 seconds to take the lead when Seigert picked up a slack back pass on the right drove into the box and hit a strong shot low past Banks.

Hearts could have equalised a minute later when a Kingston cross found Berra in a crowded box but the big stopper put his header just wide. Kingston was again the provider on nine minutes and found Zaliukas in the box whose header glanced over and wide when unchallenged.

The crowd of approximately 700 were in good voice as Weisbaden looked to build on their lead with long balls to the flanks but the Hearts defence coped well with the threat.

Makela then threaded an excellent cross field pass from the right to Driver on the left and the youngster cut inside and struck a low shot which was scooped up by Walke. Michael Stewart then pressurised the German midfield who were forced back and the keeper was rushed into a clearance.

Zaliukas looked assured at the back to cut out another German attack and the big Lithuanian was on hand a minute later to snuff out a threat down the left hand side. With temperatures in the high 70's Hearts worked hard and were keen to pass the ball at every opportunity.

Csaba Laszlo urged calm from his players though when they seemed over enthusiastic at times to find a pass when it wasn't on.

Diakite then won a free kick on the left after a block by Thomson but Bick's kick floated into Banks' arms after 22 minutes.

Kingston then floated a lovely free kick into the box but Makela could not steer his header on target. Kingston was crudely brought down on 24 minutes as the Germans showed little regard for Hearts midfield. It was an action replay a minute later when Kingston floated the ball in from the right but Makela's header went over.

On 26 minutes Orahovac should have made it two for Weisbaden but his shot at the back post slid past.

Good interplay between Kingston and Jonsson led to Rapnik taking a speculative 25 yard shot but the keeper gathered easily.

The game was entertaining the crowd and both teams were now playing some good passing football.

A mistake by Thomson then provided a golden opportunity for the Germans but Thomson made up for the error with a lunging tackle in the box and Zaliukas cleared to th edge of the box.

Kingston continued to impress and the Geramns were content to pull the midfielder down at the first sign of creativity. Indeed the Ghana internationalist had to take a brief spell on the sidelines to receive work on a damaged hand.

Jonsson, Stewart, Driver and Kingston look a good midfield grouping and in this part of the team there was little to question.

Banks then saved from the ever dangerous Siegert as the Germans exploited the right hand channel.

After 38 minutes Makela should have made it 1-1. But again the big forward could not finish the move after excellent work by Kingston - much to the angst of Csaba Laszlo in the Hearts dugout. Berra was next to test the Wiesbaden defence and was unlucky to see his header loop over. The Hearts captain was looking to drive forward and released Driver in a one-two but he was edged off the ball and the Germans cleared to safety.

Ksanavicius replaced Makela after the break in an effort to break Hearts duck. His striking partner Jamie Mole then threatened on the right and did well to win a corner. Zaliukas was just too far out to steer his header goalbound.

Thomson then cleared well when Weisbaden were one on one. The young Scot then took a sore one in the midrift when again blocking a dangerous German move. Ruben Palazuelos entered the field of play after 55 minutes to replace the industrious Eggert Jonsson.

Zaliukas and Berra remained solid at the back as the Germans reverted to the long ball game.

Orahovac then teased the Hearts defence with an excellent twisting run and his shot was well saved by Banks. However Weisbaden were awarded a penalty when Steiger was brought down in the box by Palazuelos and Orahovac sent Banks the wrong way on 62 minutes.

Palazuelos then tried to make up for his error after good work by Driver, the Spaniard tried his luck from 25 yards but Walke smothered the danger.

Michael Stewart continued to fight for every ball but Hearts showed little spark up front to capitalise on his driving runs. Siegert mirrored Stewart's hunger though for Weisbaden and was proving a real handful for debut boy Rapnik.

Thomson then turned provider and Mole was unlucky with his header when he rose high above the German defence. A Berra slip then allowed Panaudetiguiri in but his fluffed shot fell short of Banks and the follow up shot was cleared off the line by Palazuelos

Walke then saved superbly to deny Mole when he was clean through on the edge of the area. Banks made way for McDonald with 15 minutes remaining. Hearts were not submitting despite the clock ticking down although the Hearts fans chants of "we're going to win 3-2" were overly optimistic. And then, Ivaskevicius scored on 78 minutes picking up on good interplay he finished cleanly to give the Jambos a well deserved lifeline.

Hearts continued to press and a while Andrew Driver was standing out for persistence and skill the young winger made way for Mikoliunas as he tired after an excellent shift.

Hearts then won a freekick on the edge of the box after Stewart was knocked down but the same player blasted his shot well over. That was the last of the action though.

Wiesbaden: Walke; Richter, Nakas, Kopilas, Gilbo, Panandetiguiri, Siegert, Bick, Catic, Orahovac, Diakite, Konig

Hearts: Banks (McDonald 75); Thomson, Zaliukas, Berra, Rapnik (Karipidis 80); Kingston (Ivaskevicius 63), Jonsson (Palazuelos 55), Stewart, Driver (Mikoliunas 85); Mole, Makela (Ksanavicius 46). Subs not used: McGowan, Husband.