Rotherham United 0-1 Heart of Midlothian

From Hearts Media at New York Stadium.

John Sutton's second half strike ensured Hearts ended their preparation for the new season on a high with a 1-0 win against Rotherham on Saturday afternoon.

John McGlynn opted for a mixture of youth and experience in his side's final pre-season game before the big kick off against St Johsntone next Saturday. Andy Webster and Marius Zaliukas were once again flanked by youngsters Callum Paterson and Kevin McHattie in defence, whilst John Sutton continued to lead the attacking line alongside Andy Driver and David Templeton.

The home side enjoyed a decent start as Daniel Nardiello grazed the side netting on five minutes in the first real attempt on goal. Alex Revell then found himself one on one with Jamie MacDonald shortly after, but the striker failed to connect with the ball on five yards and the keeper cleared to safety.

Hearts, meanwhile, struggled to make inroads for much of the half; a deflected David Templeton free-kick the nearest they came to breaking the deadlock inside the first fifteen minutes. Webster then flashed a header over the bar from five yards on the half hour mark.

The Jambos picked up the pace towards the end of the half with young full backs McHattie and Paterson looking lively down their respective flanks, however their crosses all too often lacked the required precision.

McGlynn refrained from making any half time changes, and was instantly rewarded as the Jam Tarts took the lead two minutes after the restart. Ryan McGowan received the ball wide on the right before turning his man and dispatching a pin point cross which enabled Sutton to escape his marker to poke the ball home form five yards out.

The Millers nearly levelled within minutes as Revell got on the end of a corner only to see his headed effort miss the left post by inches.

The goalmouth action soon petered out, however, with neither side looking particularly potent in attack. McGowan attempted a volley from the edge of the box on 70 minutes, but failed to fully wrap his foot around the ball as it sailed into the away stand.

Former Kilmarnock player Kieran Agard threatened late on for the home side as he raced down the right before cutting inside substitute Danny Grainger, but MacDonald got down well at his near post to block the winger before he could pull the trigger.

The Millers failed to cause the Gorgie side any further problems and the Jambos, backed again by a tremendous Maroon support, saw the game out to make it three pre-season wins out of four.

Next up is the visit of St Johnstone for Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League opener at Tynecastle.

Rotherham: Shearer; Hunt (Mullins 35), Bradley, Sharps, Wilson; Noble (Taylor 57), Arnason (Evans 62), O'Connor (Rose 45), Pringle (Ainsworth 62); Revell (Agard 57), Nardiello (Odejayi 57). Subs not used: Warrington.

Hearts: Macdonald; Paterson, Webster, Zaliukas, McHattie (Grainger 62); Robinson (Holt 78), R. McGowan, Barr (D. McGowan 72); Driver (Novikovas 63), Sutton (Carrick74), Templeton (Taouil 75). Subs not used: Ridgers.

Referee: C. Pawson

Top man: Ryan McGowan

Hearts World