Postcard from LA
ALLOA ATHLETIC 1
Cawley (87)
HEARTS 3
Irving (35), Frear (45), Ginnelly (90)
Hearts boss Robbie Neilson celebrated going seven points clear at the top of the Championship following a revenge victory at the Indodrill Stadium yesterday.
The Edinburgh club had suffered a shock League Cup defeat on their previous visit in late-november, but a repeat result was highly unlikely from the moment Hearts went ahead 10 minutes before half time and then rapidly added to their lead.
“We knew there was an opportunity today to go seven points clear of Dunfermline and we’re obviously very pleased to have done it,” said Neilson.
“It’s so important to keep picking up points, keep winning games and stay clear at the top of the table, especially with two big games against Raith Rovers coming up soon. “When Gary Mackay-steven and Josh Ginnelly came off the bench it gave us real pace in the wide areas and they helped get plenty of crosses into the box. I’m really pleased by the way Andy Irving is progressing.
“There’s no doubt about his ability, but he needs to work on the physical sides of things too.
“Naisy (Steven Naismith) doesn’t like to play on artificial pitches, to be honest, so it was nice to be able to win the game without having to use him today. He’ll be back for the next game.”
Neilson’s opposite number, Peter Grant, added: “Hearts are a very good side, but the first half was very disappointing for us, especially the two goals we lost which were a bit cheap.
“The second goal was crucial because I felt we were still in the game at 1-0.
“The sending off was a disgrace, but I’m used to that and it didn’t affect the result.
“You can’t appeal it because it was a second yellow card.”
The Wasps appeared to have weathered the anticipated first-half assault from Hearts, but they were then caught by a hefty sucker punch when Andy Irving latched on to a corner kick before firing a sublime left-foot drive past keeper Neil Parry from outside the penalty area.
Alloa boss Peter Grant would have hoped to keep the score at 1-0 and work his magic on his troops during the half time interval, but the Jambos had other ideas and found time to inflict further damage before thebreak.
On this occasion, Jamie Walker’s pass set up Elliott Frear, who promptly sent a right-foot finish past Parry to double the visitors’ lead.
Hearts repeatedly threatened to add to their tally throughout the second period, and although Alloa fought bravely to stay in contention, they shot themselves in the foot in the 84th minute when defender Lucas Williamson was redcarded following a second bookable offence.
Remarkably, the ten men pulled a goal back through Kevin Cawley’s header to ensure a nervy finale, but Hearts stayed firmly in control and substitute Josh Ginnelly sealed all three points in stoppage time when goalkeeper Parry quit his post in search of an equaliser and left an empty net for Ginnelly to fill.