Up brings Stendel’s strugglers back to reality
hearts 1 Washington (49) motherwell 1 Long (21)
Daniel Stendel was left to rue a calamitous lapse by Craig Halkett as he accepted a point was not enough in Hearts’ precarious Premiership position.
The Jambos gifted the lead to Motherwell in the first half when Halkett’s intercepted clearance allowed Chris Long to go through on goal and break the deadlock.
After defensively solid showings in the stirring triumphs against Rangers and Hibernian, here again was an example of the avoidable errors which have plagued Hearts’ campaign.
However, Stendel’s charges responded admirably, with Conor Washington restoring parity. But events at New Douglas Park, where Hamilton claimed a dramatic win over Kilmarnock, ensured Hearts slipped further into the mire.
Hearts are now three points adrift of St Mirren at the foot of the table, with Accies in 10th, meaning Wednesday’s rearranged visit to the Buddies is vital for the Edinburgh club.
“The first goal is hard to accept,” said Hearts’ head coach. “If Motherwell score because they have the quality and played well, OK, but when we give them the chance to score too easily, it’s tough. It was more an own goal than a goal from Motherwell.
“Some situations are not good at the moment and the first chance is a goal – but what changed is our reaction. Our reaction was not to go 2-0 down or 3-0 down, our reaction was to keep our game, create chances and score.”
However, in light of the news from Lanarkshire, the German acknowledged: “When you see the other results, one point is not enough.”
The previous encounter between Hearts and the Steelmen in Gorgie in September pre-empted furious protests outside Tynecastle, as around 1,000 supporters gathered outside the stadium to demand Craig Levein’s sacking following a 3-2 defeat.
The atmosphere yesterday could barely have been more different, with victories over Rangers and Hibs manifesting positivity.
And the Jambos faithful almost had further cause for cheer when Edinburgh derby hero Sean Clare nearly scored from the halfway line.
Motherwell keeper Mark Gillespie rushed from his goalmouth to intercept a hopeful ball forward but only succeeded in clearing straight to the Englishman. Clare’s spectacular looping effort was destined to nestle in the net but Allan Campbell made a superb block on the line.
But Motherwell claimed the lead midway through the first period courtesy of a Halkett horror-show. His pass was intercepted by Long, who scampered through on goal and, after calmly rounding Zdenek Zlamal, he slotted into an empty net. Jermaine Hylton then plunged to the turf under a challenge from Zlamal after latching on to a Liam Polwarth pass – but referee Don Robertson waved away claims for a spot-kick.
Following that reprieve, Hearts roared out of the blocks and were level within five minutes of the restart. Jamie Walker slipped a sumptuous through-ball to Steven Naismith and his low delivery was perfect for Washington to prod home from point-blank range for his second goal in two games.
However, the Jambos struggled to capitalise on the momentum and only a sensational Zlamal save from a Hylton firecracker kept the scoreline level.
With news of Accies’ late winner circulating, the opportunity Hearts had been waiting for came four minutes into added time when Naismith met a Washington cutback – only to get his feet in a tangle and completely miskick from six yards out.
“It was a bit behind me and I just couldn’t reach it – maybe a few years ago I’d have scored it,” Naismith laughed ruefully.
Michael Smith then lashed a shot over the bar from the edge of the box as a maddening finale for the hosts proved fruitless.