Mole finally takes chance

Ed Hodge at Tynecastle

IF THE first sign of cracks appeared in Csaba Laszlo's Tynecastle tenure earlier this week, this deserved, if laboured, victory against 10-man opponents at least helped paper over them.

With Steve Banks' demotion to youth goalkeeping coach the talk of the capital - the fingerprints of meddling owner Vladimir Romanov all over the move - Laszlo must have hoped for a fuss-free, routine three points.

But just as the amiable ex-Uganda boss was heated and exasperated batting away repeated questions on Banks' future on Friday, his side furthered increased his blood pressure. After dominating with slick early passing without netting, Hearts' cause was hugely helped by the 25th-minute dismissal of St Mirren's Spanish midfielder Tonet.
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A convincing triumph looked on the cards, but Laszlo was left scratching his head as his team passed up numerous opportunities, including an injury-time penalty, to stumble over the line.

"I'm happy with the performance, I'm unhappy with the scoring," conceded Laszlo. "If you use maybe 50 to 60% of your chances, it was maybe 6 or 7-1. Winning was most important. This club last year lost a lot of points, now we must collect them. We played good football, but must work on the finishing."

As expected, Slovakian Marian Kello, a loan arrival from Rangers' European vanquishers FBK Kaunas, was the third custodian to grace Hearts' goal in three games. Janos Balogh, the Hungarian shot-stopper, has also agreed to join on a six-month loan from Debrecen. Banks, it seems, has been forced into early playing retirement.

Hearts, though, quickly sought to put any talk of discontent behind them.

While Ugandan David Obua's efficient debut had been eagerly-awaited, Michael Stewart pulled the early strings.

Buoyed by his return to the Scotland fold, Stewart was in the mood. On eight minutes, his piercing ball through the middle presented Jamie Mole with a glorious opportunity. The young striker tried to place a shot beyond Mark Howard, but the restored Will Haining was on hand to block a certain goal.

Andrew Driver then strode on to another classy Stewart pass, before cutting inside and dragging wide.

Minutes later, Howard again shone when he tipped over Laryea Kingston's vicious 30-yarder. St Mirren's defensive formation was intended to frustrate Hearts, Billy Mehmet ploughing a lone furrow up front, as they sought a third win at Tynecastle in as many seasons.

If they had been up against it, their task was soon formidable as Tonet departed for two cautions inside three minutes. A mistimed challenge on Jason Thomson earned his 23rd-minute booking, before worse followed when he caught Stewart. While far from malicious tackles, they were enough to warrant a red card.

MacPherson ruefully reflected: "By the letter of the law you have to say they were yellow cards. But if you are going to book every player you'll have no players left."

Hearts, initially, failed to capitalise, but Mole's intervention was timely. Seconds into stoppage time, he pulled back his right-foot and struck a crisp 25-yard drive that Howard couldn't prevent nestling in the left-hand corner. The pattern continued after the break. Howard pushed away a Driver shot and the follow-up from a tight angle saw Kingston strike the post. Substitute Deividas Cesnauskis then dragged across goal as chances were squandered.

MacPherson sensed a lifeline, taking the bold move to quickly throw on his three replacements and change to an adventurous 3-4-2 formation. It soon paid dividend.

Franco Miranda's free-kick was headed back across goal by substitute Jim Hamilton, before another replacement, Hugh Murray, found Mehmet to tap in the club's first goal of the season. Picking the ball out of the net had proved Kello's meaningful first act.

Yet the reply was swift. Miranda pulled down Driver and Stewart placed his spot kick under Howard's dive. Still, though, the hosts made life difficult. After Ross had clattered Audrius Kasanavicus in overtime, Howard got the better of Stewart's carbon copy spot kick with a clawing save. Mehmet then saw a point-blank header flash a foot wide at the death. "If it's on target, it's a goal," asserted MacPherson. Hearts never do things the easy way.

Hearts substitutions: Cesnauskis for Wallace 49. Nade for Mole 70. Kasanavicius for Kingston 84. Not used: MacDonald, Glen, Palazuelos, Rapnik. Booked: Wallace 44, Nade 79.

St Mirren substitutions: Murray for O'Donnell 53. McGinn for Dorman 57. Hamilton for Brady 65. Not used: Smith, Wyness, McAusland, Cuthbert.

Booked: Tonet 23.,Hamilton 72, Ross 90. Sent Off: Tonet 25. Referee: C Murray Att: 13,357

Taken from the Sunday Herald