Hamilton Accies 1-2 Hearts

Hearts recorded their first away win of the season as Hamilton Accies were beaten at New Douglas Park.

Marius Zaliukas headed Andrew Driver's corner past Hamilton goalkeeper Tomas Cerny after 18 minutes.

Driver clinched the win in the 59th minute when he latched on to Simon Mensing's short back-pass and fired into the net from 12 yards.

Substitute Derek Lyle pulled a goal back for Hamilton after 80 minutes, but the home side were unable to level.

Both sides went into the match with two wins from their first three matches.

The visitors were first to threaten with David Obua and Driver having shots from distance.

And, after Laryea Kingston's effort was cleared for a corner, Hearts carved out an opening goal on 18 minutes.

Driver's inswinging corner was met by Zaliukas' header at the near post and the Lithuanian defender registered his first goal of the season.

Two minutes later, Hamilton were dealt an injury blow when defender Chris Swailes had to be replaced with James McCarthy.

The substitute almost made an instant impact when his attempted lob was held by goalkeeper Marian Kello, who was making his Hearts debut.
Hearts winger Andrew Driver
Driver beats Cerny to score Hearts' second goal

Hamilton were determined to get level before half-time and Tony Stevenson's crosses were putting pressure on the Hearts defence from set pieces.

David Elebert and Lucas Akins both headed over from Stevenson deliveries before Kello had to look alert to beat away another dangerous cross.

Hearts almost doubled their lead three minutes before half-time when Obua's header from Michael Stewart's cross was well saved by Cerny.

Akins and Joel Thomas had shots off target for Hamilton early in the second half before Driver scored Hearts' second just before the hour mark.

The winger took advantage of Mensing's mistake to fire past Cerny.

Hamilton responded with a double substitution as Akins and Thomas were replaced with Lyle and Mark Corcoran.

And Lyle brought Hamilton back into the game with 10 minutes remaining when he met James McArthur's cross with a glancing header past Kello.

Offiong missed a good chance to equalise late on when he miss-kicked from seven yards out.

Hamilton manager Billy Reid:

"But, after that, I thought we came right back into the game.

"We played three up front, but the three did not do enough and I've told them that in the dressing-room.

"Richard Offiong had a chance late on and unfortunately he slipped and nicked his hamstring.

"We were a bit naive at times and Hearts probably shaded the game, but if you ask me who were the better football team then I would say us."

Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo:

"I must compliment Hamilton as they are a young team with good spirit, but we had more of the game and played good football.

"Our fans must understand that we have a very young squad without experience, but it was a fantastic afternoon for us.

"Layrea Kingston was a big personality in the game and Andrew Driver sometimes does not realise how much talent he has."

Hamilton: Cerny, Stevenson, Swailes (McCarthy 20), Elebert, Easton, Mensing, McArthur, Neil, Akins (Lyle 62), Offiong, Thomas (Corcoran 62).
Subs Not Used: Murdoch, Casement, Graham, Sorsa.

Booked: Neil, Offiong.

Goals: Lyle 80.

Hearts: Kello, Karipidis, Zaliukas, Berra, Lee Wallace, Kingston (Palazuelos 90), Jonsson, Stewart, Driver, Mole (Nade 73), Obua (Ksanavicius 77).
Subs Not Used: Balogh, Mikoliunas, Cesnauskis, Thomson.

Goals: Zaliukas 18, Driver 59.

Att: 4,210

Ref: C Thomson

Taken from the BBC