Hearts 1-0 Hamilton Accies

A first-half goal by Christian Nade gave Hearts victory over SPL bottom club Hamilton Accies.

The French striker prodded the ball under the body of Hamilton goalkeeper Tomas Cerny after six minutes.

Hamilton were more of an attacking threat in the second half and Richard Offiong's header was saved by Hearts keeper Janos Balogh.

James McArthur also had a headed attempt for the visitors but Hearts held on for the three points.

Defeat stretches Hamilton's winless run in the league to eight games, which includes seven losses.

The home side made the breakthrough after Nade chased Bruno Aguiar's flick-on from a long ball by Lee Wallace.

The striker looked to have lost the chance after being closed down by Mark McLaughlin and Martin Canning but still managed to sneak the ball past Cerny.

It was the 25-year-old's first goal of the season, having not found the net since January.

Nade came close again in the 27th minute, turning in the box before firing past the post.

Cerny was then called upon to block Nade's fierce shot before the striker temporarily left the field to receive treatment for a slight knock.

Accies almost capitalised on their one-man advantage when David Graham sent in a low drive which Janos Balogh saved before Marius Zaliukas cleared for a corner.

Hearts began the second half brightly and Aguiar's long-range effort drew a save from Cerny.

Hamilton substitute Richard Offiong met Graham's cross with a header on 50 minutes but the ball drifted wide.

Nade missed an excellent chance to extend Hearts' lead when he fired over from six yards after Aguiar's cross.

The Hearts goal-scorer was soon substituted with the striker limping with a muscle problem and Jamie Mole was introduced as a replacement.

Offiong met Simon Mensing's back-post cross but could only head tamely into the arms of Balogh.

The visitors then claimed for a penalty when James McCarthy went down under the challenge of Zaliukas but referee Dougie McDonald waved play on.

With 17 minutes remaining, Graham crossed for McArthur to head over as Accies searched in vain for a leveller.

And though Hamilton finished the game strongly, Hearts saw out the closing stages to record their second successive SPL win.

Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo:
"I'm satisfied with the result, but maybe the performance was not the best. We must talk about the opponents, they came and tried their best.

"The most important thing is the three points. We have won two games 1-0 and it speaks for the team.

"I know today was not a big football celebration for my team and Hamilton worked very hard. But we have the three points, six since Saturday.

"We had some problems with the finishing, but we won the game."

Hamilton Accies manager Billy Reid:
"I think we deserved a point. We were disappointed to lose a goal so early.

"Christian Nade was a problem early on for us, he did really well for Hearts.

"After we tamed him we came out in the second half and turned Hearts on numerous occasions and for long spells, we controlled the match.

"You've got to take your chances. We're learning at this level. They're fighting for everything and as a manager, that's all I ask."

Hearts: Balogh, Jonsson, Zaliukas, Berra, Lee Wallace, Aguiar, Karipidis, Palazuelos, Driver, Obua (Neilson 60), Nade (Mole 63).
Subs Not Used: Kello, Makela, Thomson, Templeton, Balatoni.

Booked: Mole.

Goals: Nade 6.

Hamilton: Cerny, McClenahan (Thomas 84), Canning, McLaughlin, Easton, Mensing, McArthur (Gibson 77), Neil, McCarthy, Graham, Akins (Offiong 46).
Subs Not Used: Murdoch, Elebert, Swailes, Lyle.

Booked: Mensing.

Att: 12,030

Ref: D McDonald

Taken from the BBC