Gavin McCafferty, PA Sport

Audrius Ksanavicius handed Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo victory in his first game at Tynecastle as the Edinburgh club held off Premier League newcomers Hull.

The Lithuanian headed home just after the half-hour mark in a game of few chances.

Hull only threatened from Geovanni's dead-ball prowess while Laryea Kingston showed he will be vital for the home side's Clydesdale Bank Premier League campaign, which kicks off against Motherwell on Saturday.

With Lee Wallace injured, Hearts lined up with winger Andrew Driver at left-back and Ruben Palazuelos and Kingston flanking Michael Stewart and Eggert Jonsson in midfield. Jamie Mole led the line with Ksanavicius playing just behind him.

Hull, who make their top-flight debut on August 16, included summer signings George Boateng, Anthony Gardner and former Manchester City player Geovanni, who played off striker Caleb Folan.

They looked bright in possession in the early stages but Hearts should have taken the lead in the eighth minute following a slick move.

Kingston played Ksanavicius through but the Lithuanian's poor finish dribbled three yards wide.

Hull almost broke the deadlock a minute later but Steve Banks palmed away a powerful, swerving free-kick from Brazilian Geovanni.

Andrew Dawson curled over another free-kick for the visitors before Ksanavicius shot weakly on the turn at Boaz Myhill following Kingston's cross.

The game degenerated into a midfield stalemate until Ksanavicius finally found his finishing touch in the 33rd minute.

Kingston won the ball in the middle of the Hull half and Hearts moved the ball out left for Palazuelos, whose cross was headed into the corner from 10 yards by the Lithuanian.

Boateng was booked for a foul on Stewart as the game livened up and the half-time introduction of former Aberdeen forward Dean Windass plus Kingston's running battle with Hull left-back Dawson kept the crowd involved.

Hull began to control possession and Geovanni forced Banks to palm away another 30-yard free-kick, with the Hearts keeper recovering to push out Nick Barmby's headed follow-up.

However the visitors struggled to create any chances and Hearts, who brought on Johnny Brown for a first-team debut at left-back, enjoyed a decent spell of pressure, with Kingston at the heart of the action.

With Geovanni off the park, Windass took Hull's next free-kick but curled the ball straight into the arms of Banks as the English side made it three pre-season games without victory.

Taken from sportinglife.com