Staggies strike late to deny Hearts
ROSS COUNTY 2
McEveley (43), Boyce (pen, 86) HEARTS 2
Johnsen (66), Paterson (67)
A LATE Liam Boyce penalty rescued a point for Ross County in a pulsating match.
Managerless Hearts, hot on the heels of a fine victory over Rangers in mid-week, looked set for another three points but any other outcome would have been hard on the home side.
Stand-in boss, Jon Daly, was delighted with the character shown by players after being a goal down.
He said: “In the first half we looked a bit lethargic. It is probably understandable with the week and games they’ve had. They put everything into a big game against Rangers during the week and then found themselves 1-0 down.
“But they showed great character to come back to 2-1 ahead. We give the penalty away and find ourselves back at 2-2.”
Daly praised the work done by departing boss Robbie Neilson and his assistant Stevie Crawford.
He added: “We have to give credit to Robbie and Stevie. They’ve left a fantastic squad of players for whoever takes over. Whoever comes in, when they see the squad they’re going to inherit, they’ll be pleasantly surprised.”
It’s been a busy week for everyone at Hearts. A fond farewell to the previous boss in mid-week, which produced an excellent 2-0 victory over Rangers was followed by a battling performance against County.
The Jam Tarts were a bit unlucky not to hold out for the victory and were again denied at the death by a superb penalty save from County keeper Scott Fox.
Hearts dominated most of the first half and were unlucky to find themselves trailing to a Jay McEveley goal.
McEveley was first to react after a Christopher Routis free kick in the 43rd minute fell nicely to the big County defender and he scooped the loose ball high into the net from a prone position.
Most of the action prior to the goal had been at the other end without testing Fox too many times.
In fact, the best save during the first 45 minutes was a fine stop from Hearts’ Jack Hamilton who kept out a stinging shot from Boyce.
Two goals mid-way through the second half turned the match Hearts way.
Bjorn Johnsen shot into the net from close range to level the scores in the 66th
minute and Callum Paterson fired the visitors ahead just a minute later when he turned in a Jamie Walker cross.
That looked to be that until referee Willie Collum pointed to the spot after Faycal Rherras handled in the box. Boyce made no mistake from 12 yards.
The drama did not end there, however. Deep in stoppage time County skipper Andrew Davies felled Walker in the box and another penalty kick was awarded.
Walker took the kick himself but Fox made a brilliant save to earn a well-deserved point for his side.
County boss Jim McIntyre felt his side were unlucky not to take all three points.
He said: “There’s a fair bit of disappointment. We were on top for that period of 20 minutes after half-time and needed to capitalise on the chances we created. When you don’t, you know Hearts are a good side and know they’re going to have a period in the game.
“They’re strong, with flair in the wider areas and a lot of physicality.
“Their deliveries and set plays are excellent – and they’re a real handful.”