Heart of Midlothian 2-3 Inverness CT

Hearts suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Inverness CT on Saturday afternoon, despite twice coming from behind in the second half.

Gary Warren's first half header put the Highlanders in front, but a Jason Holt strike early in the second half brought the Jambos level.

Billy McKay then restored ICT's lead, only for Andy Webster to fire Hearts level once again. Warren then grabbed his second of the afternoon to ensure his side left Tynecastle with all three points.

Hearts made two changes to the side that lost to Kilmarnock last week, with Scott Robinson and Billy King making way for Kevin McHattie and Arvydas Novikovas at left back and left wing respectively.

Webster found himself on the end of a corner inside the first two minutes of the tie, but couldn't compose himself in time and sent his shot wide of the back post.

It was the only notable opportunity in an otherwise scrappy start to the game, but a set piece on the fifteen minute mark saw the visitors to take the lead.

McKay's free kick from the right enabled an unmarked Warren to steer a header into the bottom right corner past a helpless Jamie Macdonald.

Owain Tudur Jones nearly added a second minutes later with a well struck free kick, whilst Hearts spent the remainder of the half probing the ball around midfield as they found it increasingly difficult to breach the ICT backline.

To their credit, they started the second half with far greater purpose and could have levelled within minutes of the restart
had Danny Wilson connected with a Novikovas free kick.

The Gorgie side levelled soon after, however, thanks to a fine strike by Holt. Having picked up the ball in the right channel, he turned his marker and surged into the box before dispatching a low shot beyond keeper Ryan Esson.

It was just rewards for an energetic start to the second period, but within minutes the visitors had restored their lead.

A delivery from the right was played back across goal by Draper, enabling McKay to steal a yard on his marker to steer a header into the bottom right corner.

The introduction of John Sutton immediately after the goal saw Hearts change to a 4-4-2 as he partnered Michael Ngoo up front, with Darren Barr dropping from central midfield to right back.

The change in shape offered Hearts more option in attack and they duly grabbed an equaliser with just over fifteen minutes
remaining. Webster picked up a half clearance on the edge of the box and his volley took just enough of a deflection to outmanouvre Esson and roll into the right corner.

Esson then produced a magnificent save soon after as he pushed a thunderbolt volley from Jamie Walker over the bar.

With Hearts pushing forward for a winner, however, Terry Butcher's men produced a killer blow as they took the lead for the third time.

Once again a set-piece proved to be the downfall for the boys in maroon as Warren leapt unchallenged to fire a header past the outstretched Macdonald.

The Jambos threw on Gordon Smith in the dying minutes in a bid to grab a third equaliser, but the Highlanders held on to secure all three points and condemn Hearts to a second successive defeat at Tynecastle.

Hearts: Macdonald; Mullen (Sutton 63), Webster, Wilson, McHattie; Barr, Tapping, Holt; Walker (Smith 86), Ngoo, Novikovas (King 72). Subs not used: Ridgers, Taouil, Prychynenko, McGowan.

Inverness CT: Esson; Raven, Warren, Devine, G. Shinnie; Doran (Taylor 90), Draper, Jones, Ross, A.Shinne; McKay (Sutherland 78). Subs not used: Reguero, Laing, Polworth, Pepper, Gibbons.

Referee: Bobby Madden

Top Man: Jason Holt

Hearts World