Heart of Midlothian 2-3 Inverness CT

Hearts conceded three goals at home for the second week running as they let Inverness put a serious dent in their top-six ambitions with a 3-2 win at Tynecastle.

The defeat leaves last season's Scottish Cup winners stuck in 10th place, seven points from the upper half of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Terry Butcher's team, however, were able to regain second spot in the standings as they recorded just their second win in eight games.

The home side were undone by a Gary Warren double which came either side of Billy McKay's 22nd strike of the season.

Yet Hearts had twice equalised through Jason Holt and a deflected Andy Webster strike - but both times handed the initiative back to their Highland visitors within minutes.

The final whistle brought another round of boos from the maroon contingent amongst the 11,325-strong Gorgie crowd just a week after their team was dumped by Kilmarnock.

Hearts were able to include Darren Barr in their line-up even though he had been carried off on a stretcher with a suspected concussion during their 3-0 defeat to the Rugby Park side seven days ago.

The former Falkirk player suffered a sickening collision with team-mate Danny Wilson but made a remarkable recovery to take his place against Butcher's men.

Jambos boss John McGlynn did, however, make two changes to his line-up following that Killie calamity, with Arvydas Novikovas and Kevin McHattie replacing Scott Robinson and Billy King.

Butcher also reacted to the 3-0 loss imposed on his side by Motherwell a week ago by bringing Daniel Devine back into his starting line-up at the expense of defender Josh Meekings.

Those in attendance did not have to wait long for the first flashpoint as Caley Thistle's Warren involved himself in a tussle with Hearts strike Michael Ngoo after just 22 seconds and promptly found himself flat on his back following a two-handed shove by the on-loan Liverpool youth.

A booking was Ngoo's punishment for what was in truth a major over-reaction to a physical challenge but it was the visiting defender who came up with a much more meaningful contribution 16 minutes in.

Jambos centre-back Webster was dragged out to the left and in uncomfortable territory, opted to clip the heels of Aaron Doran as the Inverness wide man pushed forward.

From the free-kick, the victim picked out Warren's march into the area and the Englishman headed past a stationary Hearts stopper Jamie MacDonald.

The goalkeeper was equally motionless as Caley midfielder Owain Tudur Jones smashed another set-piece through his defensive wall three minutes later. Fortune was on his side this time, though, as the ball flew wide of his right-hand post.

Hearts were intent on playing through loan front man Ngoo but little stuck for the England Under-20 cap in the opening half an hour.

By contrast, Andrew Shinnie was looking increasingly influential for the Highlanders.

He was unlucky that team-mate McKay set off a second too soon after slipping a perfectly-measured through ball beyond the home defence, which the Northern Irish striker tucked past MacDonald before being called back by an offside flag.

The home side had come close only once in the opening period with an early Webster volley flying a good 10 feet over the bar. It was therefore with a hint of frustration that Barr sent an aimless right-footed shot wide of target three minutes from the break as Inverness continued to prove themselves stubborn opponents.

His mood would have darkened further three minutes after the interval when he failed to read the flight of Fraser Mullen's free-kick to the back post just as it looked perfectly set for him to stab home the leveller. The booking he collected for rugby-tackling Shinnie soon after hardly helped.

Relief, though, did come for Barr and his fellow Jambos on 55 minutes.

Arvydas Novikovas and Barr exchanged passes before the later rolled the ball square for Holt on the edge of the box. After evading Warren's challenge with a shoulder feint, he sent a well-hit shot with his right foot soaring past Ryan Esson in the away goal.

Parity lasted just seven minutes though as Inverness struck for a second time.

David Raven launched a free-kick from halfway into the box which Tudur Jones met with a firm header to pick out McKay lurking at the back post. The striker still had to beat Callum Tapping to the ball but found the required yard to nod home.

The hosts, though, responded again - but their second equaliser came with a heavy slice of luck.

First they won a disputed corner which Warren insisted should have been an Inverness goal-kick. It looked as though the visitors would escape unscathed though when Ngoo met the set-piece with a tremendous header only to see Nick Ross clear from underneath his own bar.

Hearts, however, remained alert and worked the ball back to Webster on the edge of the box and he volleyed past Esson but only after the ball took a huge change of course as it deflected off Ross.

Holt came close to another for the Edinburgh outfit as he hit an ambitious volley just over the top of Esson's frame but it was Caley who would strike for the third time.

Having failed to learn from their first-half lesson, Hearts let Warren run free again and he was full-blooded with his header past MacDonald from Graeme Shinnie's in-swinging corner to edge Inverness above Motherwell and into second place by a point.

The referee blows his whistle to end the game.

Effort on goal by Shane Sutherland from just inside the penalty area goes over the target.
92

The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.
91

Charlie Taylor is brought on as a substitute for Aaron Doran.
90

Free kick awarded for a foul by Gordon Smith on Nick Ross. Direct free kick taken by Gary Warren.
89

The assistant referee flags for offside against Shane Sutherland. Danny Wilson restarts play with the free kick.
88

Owain Tudur Jones fouled by John Sutton, the ref awards a free kick. Ryan Esson takes the direct free kick.
87

Correction - Gordon Smith on for Jamie Walker.
86

Jamie Walker leaves the field to be replaced by Gordon Smith.
86

Jason Holt takes a shot. Save made by Ryan Esson.
83

Free kick awarded for a foul by Gary Warren on Billy King. Free kick taken by Darren Barr.
82

Corner from the left by-line taken by Aaron Doran, Gary Warren takes a shot. Save made by Jamie MacDonald.
81

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Billy King,
80

Free kick awarded for a foul by Callum Tapping on Andrew Shinnie. Gary Warren takes the direct free kick.
79

Jamie Walker takes a shot. (Inverness CT) makes a substitution, with Shane Sutherland coming on for Billy McKay.
78

Corner from the right by-line taken by Graeme Shinnie, Gary Warren fires in a goal from inside the six-yard box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Hearts 2-3 Inverness CT.Assist by Graeme Shinnie.
76

Jamie Walker takes a shot. Save by Ryan Esson. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Jamie Walker, clearance made by Ross Draper.
74

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Billy King from the right by-line, Michael Ngoo takes a shot. Andy Webster finds the back of the net with a goal from the edge of the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Hearts 2-2 Inverness CT.
72

Arvydas Novikovas leaves the field to be replaced by Billy King.
72

Effort on goal by Arvydas Novikovas from just inside the area clears the crossbar.
69

Billy McKay is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Andy Webster restarts play with the free kick.
68

Inswinging corner taken by Jamie Walker from the left by-line, Danny Wilson takes a shot. Free kick awarded for a foul by Danny Wilson on Billy McKay. Free kick taken by Daniel Devine.
66

Arvydas Novikovas gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Owain Tudur Jones. Daniel Devine takes the direct free kick.
64

Jamie Walker takes a shot. John Sutton on for Fraser Mullen.
63

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Aaron Doran, Andy Webster makes a clearance. Andy Webster fouled by Ross Draper, the ref awards a free kick. Jamie MacDonald takes the direct free kick.
62

Billy McKay finds the back of the net with a headed goal from close range. Hearts 1-2 Inverness CT.Ross Draper provided the assist for the goal.
61

Free kick awarded for a foul by Arvydas Novikovas on Andrew Shinnie. Direct free kick taken by Graeme Shinnie.
60

Aaron Doran takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line to the near post, Darren Barr makes a clearance.
59

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ross Draper on Michael Ngoo. Free kick taken by Arvydas Novikovas.
56

Jason Holt finds the back of the net with a goal from the edge of the area to the top right corner of the goal. Hearts 1-1 Inverness CT.Assist on the goal came from Darren Barr.
54

Free kick awarded for a foul by Darren Barr on Andrew Shinnie. Darren Barr receives a caution for unsporting behaviour. Ryan Esson restarts play with the free kick.
51

Graeme Shinnie concedes a free kick for a foul on Jamie Walker. Caution for Graeme Shinnie. Arvydas Novikovas restarts play with the free kick.
49

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Darren Barr by Andrew Shinnie. Darren Barr restarts play with the free kick.
49

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jamie Walker on Andrew Shinnie. Graeme Shinnie takes the direct free kick.
48

Daniel Devine gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kevin McHattie. Arvydas Novikovas takes the direct free kick.
46

Foul by Daniel Devine on Arvydas Novikovas, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Arvydas Novikovas.
46

The second half has started.

The first half comes to an end.

Jamie Walker concedes a free kick for a foul on Graeme Shinnie. Graeme Shinnie takes the direct free kick.
43

Owain Tudur Jones fouled by Jason Holt, the ref awards a free kick. Graeme Shinnie takes the direct free kick.
43

Darren Barr has an effort at goal from just inside the penalty box that bounces off the post.
41

Foul by Graeme Shinnie on Michael Ngoo, free kick awarded. Andy Webster takes the free kick.
40

Michael Ngoo concedes a free kick for a foul on Graeme Shinnie. Graeme Shinnie takes the direct free kick.
39

Darren Barr fouled by Andrew Shinnie, the ref awards a free kick. Owain Tudur Jones is cautioned by the ref for dissent. Danny Wilson takes the direct free kick.
38

Unfair challenge on Jason Holt by Daniel Devine results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Andy Webster.
37

Aaron Doran challenges Andy Webster unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jamie MacDonald takes the direct free kick.
36

Billy McKay is caught offside. Free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.
34

Shot from deep inside the area by Fraser Mullen clears the crossbar.
32

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Fraser Mullen.
31

Owain Tudur Jones challenges Darren Barr unfairly and gives away a free kick. Andy Webster restarts play with the free kick.
29

The official flags Aaron Doran offside. Indirect free kick taken by Andy Webster.
27

Corner taken by Jamie Walker, clearance by Ryan Esson.
26

Foul by David Raven on Arvydas Novikovas, free kick awarded. Kevin McHattie takes the direct free kick.
25

Michael Ngoo fouled by Daniel Devine, the ref awards a free kick. Daniel Devine goes into the referee's book for unsporting behaviour. Fraser Mullen shoots direct from the free kick, save by Ryan Esson.
24

Free kick awarded for a foul by Owain Tudur Jones on Callum Tapping. Danny Wilson takes the direct free kick.
22

Foul by David Raven on Arvydas Novikovas, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Kevin McHattie.
21

Callum Tapping challenges Andrew Shinnie unfairly and gives away a free kick. Shot comes in from Owain Tudur Jones from the free kick.
19

Aaron Doran fouled by Andy Webster, the ref awards a free kick. Aaron Doran crosses the ball in from the free kick, Gary Warren scores a headed goal from inside the penalty box. Hearts 0-1 Inverness CT.Aaron Doran provided the assist for the goal.
14

Andrew Shinnie is penalised for a handball. Free kick taken by Andy Webster.
13

Foul by Daniel Devine on Michael Ngoo, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Arvydas Novikovas.
12

Billy McKay is caught offside. Jamie MacDonald takes the free kick.
8

Andrew Shinnie is ruled offside. Andy Webster takes the indirect free kick.
6

Aaron Doran fouled by Fraser Mullen, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Graeme Shinnie.
5

Jamie Walker gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Graeme Shinnie. Ryan Esson takes the direct free kick.
4

Michael Ngoo challenges Gary Warren unfairly and gives away a free kick. Ryan Esson takes the direct free kick.
2

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Fraser Mullen from the right by-line. Andy Webster produces a right-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the target.
1

Michael Ngoo receives a caution for unsporting behaviour.

The match gets underway.

Taken from sportinglife.com