Hearts wait until second half to rise to the occasion
DARREN JOHNSTONE
HEARTS produced a second half fight-back to pick up an unlikely 2-1 win over Gillingham in the first stop of their mini-break in England.

After an underwhelming opening period from the visitors, it was no surprise when the League Two outfit took the lead four minutes after the restart courtesy of a Luke Rooney's penalty.

Arvydas Novikovas restored parity moments later before Ismael Bouzid powered home a later header to round off a much improved display after the break.

Following the news that striker Kevin Kyle is struggling to be fit for the start of the SPL season after undergoing a second groin operation on Wednesday, manager Jim Jefferies was celebrating a rare injury fillip with the return of Lee Wallace.

The Scotland left-back tore his calf during the club's week-long training camp in Il Ciocco and missed Tuesday's defeat at Dunfermline.

Trialist Adrian Mrowiec's audition continued at the Priestfield Stadium as the Pole was granted a starting berth.

The dearth of attacking options at Jefferies disposal was abundantly clear last night.

Kyle's woes allied to injuries to David Obua and Gary Glen meant Ryan Stevenson played as a surrogate striker alongside Calum Elliot.

And there was a distinct lack of cohesion between the Hearts midfield and attack during the early exchanges as the hosts made a lively start. Andy Barcham's pace on the right flank for Gillingham posed problems for Hearts and particularly Lee Wallace.

Barcham won a free-kick by the corner flag and Chris Palmer's delivery was met by Stefan Payne at the back post, but his header landed comfortably in Janos Balogh's hands.

The Gorgie outfit were inviting pressure by their failure to retain possession for any length of time and the dynamic Gillingham attack effortlessly stretched their opponents in the final third.

Jefferies' side survived again with a generous slice of good fortune. Curtis Weston found himself in acres of space in the box, but instead of shooting he decided to square a ball across the area.

The ball cannoned of Mrowiec but Darren Barr spared his team-mate's blushes by clearing the danger off the line.

The second half was just four minutes old when Gillingham took the lead. Ismael Bouzid was penalised for a push on Payne inside the box and Luke Rooney lashed his spot-kick down the middle of the goal.

Hearts, however, levelled within two minutes.

Novikovas accepted a return pass from Ryan Stevenson inside the box before slipping a low shot beyond Alan Julian from 12 yards.

Just when it looked like the game would end with a draw, Ismael Bouzid headed home substitute David Templeton's corner with six minutes remaining.

Gillingham: Julian, Sinclair, Nutter, Gowling, Bentley, Payne, Weston, Palmer, Spiller, Payne, Barcham. Substitutes: Rooney, Jackman, Maher, White, McCammon, Akinfenwa, Esam, Aborah, Lough, Cronin.

Hearts: Balogh, Barr, Wallace, Mrowiec, Bouzid, Zaliukas, Santana (Templeton 73), Jonsson (McGowan 73), Elliot (Smith 69), Stevenson, Novikovas. Unused substitutes: Kello, Thomson.

Referee: G Ward

Taken from the Scotsman