Stewart sinks Bairns in 1-0 away win

Hearts recorded back-to-back league wins for the first time this season as they came away with a 1-0 win from a tough encounter at the Falkirk Stadium today.

A penalty from Michael Stewart just before half time proved to be the difference between the sides as this result for Hearts pushed the club back into the top six.

There was one forced change from the side that started the win against Celtic as Craig Thomson dropped out through injury with Marius Zaliukas coming back into the centre of defence and Ismael Bouzid being pushed out to right back.

Highlights from the first 45 minutes were few and far between as attackers from both teams failed to make their mark on the game. This was less to do with the superiority of the defenders and more to do with the lack of cutting edge from the players as defensive mistakes continuously went unpunished.

On 10 minutes Marius Zaliukas was fortunate not to mark his return to the starting eleven with a crucial error as he allowed the ball to slip under his boot and for Pedro Moutinho to run through. The Hearts' defence recovered to spare the Lithuanian's blushes as the attack came to nothing.

Six minutes later it was Ryan Flynn's turn to run through on goal after an impressive move from the home side on the counter attack following a Hearts corner. The midfielder managed to get a shot away but, under pressure from Lee Wallace and Ruben Palazuelos, he could only drill his effort low into the arms of Marian Kello.

Falkirk continued to have the better of the chances and again went close in the 23rd minute when Mountinho's free kick was held by Kello after the Portuguese forward was fuelled by Zaliukas just outside the penalty area.

Hearts had enjoyed spells of possession but never looked like breaking down Falkirk prior to the game's only goal on 42 minutes. That came via the penalty spot after Jose Goncalves was brought down by Darren Barr and Michael Stewart blasted a perfect penalty into the side netting to give the away side a surprise half-time lead.

Falkirk felt aggrieved and started the second half with renewed vigour as Kello had to respond quickly to get down and block a Zerrara free kick that was headed for the far corner just a minute into the second half.

Hearts enjoyed greater attacking possession in the second 45 minutes but, such as been the problem with the Jam Tarts this season, they failed to create any clear cut opportunities to put the game beyond Falkirk.

On 71 minutes Eggert Jonsson managed to get on the head to a Suso Santana corner that was swung into the six yard box but he headed wide under pressure from Falkirk keeper Robert Olejnik.

Three minutes later Falkirk were denied an equaliser thanks to a terrific save from Marian Kello. Fresh off his heroics last week in the 2-1 win over Celtic the Slovakian stopper was at it again as he got down low to his right to deny Daniel Marceta's effort with a strong one handed save. It was Falkirk's last meaningful attack as Hearts held out for the 1-0 win.

Falkirk: Olejnik; Barr, McLean, Monteiro, Twaddle; Flynn (Bullen 62), Arfield, Lima, Zerrara (O'Brien 83); Finnigan, Moutinho (Marceta 73). Subs not used: Wagenaar, Mitchell, Allison, Murdoch

Hearts: Kello; Bouzid, Zaliukas, Goncalves, Wallace; Templeton (Suso 64), Stewart, Jonsson, Palazuelos; Robinson (Nade 90), Mole (Kucharski 88). Subs not used: Ridgers, Glen, Visconte, Smith. Booked: Kello

Referee: Calum Murray

Top man: Lee Wallace

Hearts World