Hamilton 0 - 2 Hearts

STEPHEN ELLIOTT'S double secured a straightforward win for Hearts in Lanarkshire as the Edinburgh club extended their victories over Hamilton to three this season with a goal yet to be conceded. The Irishman struck in both halves of a match controlled by the visitors, who barely had to reach full capacity to dispense with a despondent looking home team.

Billy Reid, the Hamilton manager, appears short of the resources required to guide the club away from relegation on this evidence, although his players became more assertive and aggressive in the second half. By then, though, they were 2-0 down and lacked creativity in the final third to prise open the Hearts defence.

Even from the early exchanges the outcome of this affair was clear. Victory for Hearts at the SPL's bottom club was uncomplicated as they settled into an early passing rhythm with Ruben Palazuelos dictating play in midfield.

Andy Webster's second spell at Tynecastle began with him named in the starting 11 in front of a mostly warm reception from travelling supporters. He replaced Ismael Bouzid in a defence which also included the fit-again Lee Wallace, who actually emerged as a dominant attacking force down the left flank. From his advance the opening goal arrived on 22 minutes.

Eggert Jonsson evaded an opponent and fed Wallace for a first-time cross which Elliott expertly glanced into the far corner of the net. It was a sublime finish and just desserts for Hearts given they had monopolised possession of the ball since kick-off, patiently awaiting an opening.

Craig Thomson dispatched a powerful low attempt which rolled narrowly past Tomas Cerny's right post, and Ruben Palazuelos watched his strike from 18 yards deflect wide of the opposite upright as the interval approached. The half-time whistle prompted widespread jeering from the disgruntled home support, acknowledgment that their side was comprehensively outplayed throughout the first half. The only strange aspect of what seemed a straightforward assignment for Hearts was that their lead was not more convincing.

Hamilton replaced 17-year-old right-back Ziggy Gordon with Mark Carrington for the second half in an attempt to curb Wallace's attacking movement. However, within seconds of the restart they were 2-0 down. Rudi Skacel's corner hung in the air for Marius Zaliukas to head downwards, and the ball ricocheted off Elliott's thigh before bouncing into the net. The finish might have been unintentional but that did not prevent the Irishman claiming his second goal of the afternoon.

Marian Kello, virtually inactive in the first half, produced an impressive save from David Elebert's header as Hamilton enjoyed a rare foray forward. Elliott was only denied his hat-trick when Cerny pushed his curling 18-yard shot over for a corner on 57 minutes. The goalkeeper then initiated the move which brought Hamilton's best scoring opportunity. His kickout was intelligently headed on by substitute Flavio Paixao into the path of Mickael Antoine-Curier. The striker sprinted clear of the Hearts defence but miscontrolled the ball, allowing Kello to collect.

Hamilton were competing better having introduced three substitutes in the second half and Kello was tested again by Jim McAlister's left-footed effort from the inside-right channel. Their determination to at least reduce the deficit prevented Hearts attacking with the relentless ease they enjoyed in the first half. But the game ended fairly comfortably for those from Edinburgh, who remain third but firmly in touch with the top two in the league table.

Hamilton (5-4-1): Cerny; Gordon (Carrington 46), Canning, Elebert, McLaughlin, Skelton; McAlister, Routledge, Buchanan (F Paixao 46), Imrie (M Paixao 54); Antoine-Curier. Subs: Murdoch, Graham, Casalinuovo, Elliot.

Hearts (4-3-3): Kello, C Thomson (Driver 70), Zaliukas, Webster, Wallace; Black (Mrowiec 80), Jonsson, Palazuelos; Suso (Templeton 70), S Elliott, Skacel. Subs: MacDonald, Stevenson, Bouzid, Glen.

Referee: Stevie O'Reilly.

Attendance: 2876.

Taken from the Scotsman