Laszlo spirit inspired Aberdeen fightback, insists winger Andy Driver in salute to Hearts coach

Hearts winger Andy Driver insists the spirit instilled by manager Csaba Laszlo this season shone through as they came from behind to beat Aberdeen 2-1.

Trailing from Darren Mackie's 19th-minute wonder strike, the hosts dug deep to grind out a win courtesy of Christian Nade's leveller and Driver's decisive second-half header.

The three points moved Hearts clear in third place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, two clear of Dundee United who were held to a draw at home to a rejuvenated Inverness.

Driver insists the team showed the kind of fighting qualities which were absent during last season's eighth-placed finish.

He said: 'We showed a lot of spirit to come back into the game, I have said a few times this season that we have showed that we have a character that we didn't have last year, (when) we would have just caved in.

'I think we have got the fans on board as well.

'Last year at 1-0 down, they would have given up and we would have given up and it would have been one of those days.

'Against Aberdeen they really got behind us and we really gave them something to cheer about.

'We got a goal just before half-time that gave us a lot of momentum and I think we deserved to win the game.

'Their goal was a long ball, it was a good finish but it came from nowhere so we were disappointed to lose that.

'Overall we deserved it. We have got players that really want to win and help the manager.'
Hearts

The Dons opened the scoring when left-back Charlie Mulgrew picked up on a loose pass before finding Mackie with a superb diagonal ball and the marksman clinically volleyed the ball into the net.

Hearts equalised in first-half injury time when Nade angled a header into the net from David Obua's knock back.

Obua was also the creator for Driver's goal in the 66th minute, finding the diminutive midfielder at the far post with a low cross that was headed in.
David Obua

Driver insists Ugandan Obua, who was brought to the club by Laszlo last summer, is starting to show his class.

He said: 'You have got to remember the guy has come from Africa, it's going to be different football.

'It's taken him a while to settle in. He has been unlucky with a few injuries but now that he has had a few games under his belt, he is really showing the quality he has got.'