Thistle too sharp for wee Jambos

Two first half goals, one in the first minute, proved costly for the Hearts Development side in this league fixture at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie.

Hearts fielded a young side with no over-age players, while Partick Thistle had two over-age members in the team.

The Tynecastle side got away to the worst possible start, losing a goal in the first 30 seconds from their own kick-off.

The ball was worked back from the start through a split Hearts defence, with Thistle’s Antonio German releasing a cross ball for Kevin Nesbit to score from close range.

In reply, Ian Smith fired a shot into the side netting, but Thistle were soon back on the attack forcing Kelby Mason into two fine saves. Hearts lost a second goal on 26 minutes when Dominic Docherty netted from close range in a goalmouth scramble.

Dale Baxter should have reduced the deficit on 33 minutes, but fired over the crossbar. Four minutes later, Robbie Buchanan had a 20-yard shot saved.

Early in the second half, Docherty steered a shot past a post with the goal at his mercy. Hearts made a double change on the hour mark and from then on had the better of the exchanges.

On 71 minutes, Buchanan headed a Callumn Morrison cross against the face of the crossbar, before Mason’s fine diving save from German. In the closing minutes, Alistair Roy had a shot blocked and Liam Henderson headed a cross narrowly over the bar.

Hearts: Mason; Morrison, Baur, Jones, L Henderson, I Smith ( Reid 60 ), McKirdy, Beith, Baxter ( Irving 60 ), Buchanan, Roy. Subs Unused; Fisher G/K, K Smith;