Source: Team_Talk
Jefferies' reign starts with defeat
Kenny Deuchar's first SPL goal for almost two years was enough to beat a Hearts side whose only shot on target came from substitute Gordon Smith in stoppage-time.[LNB]The game ended with Jambos captain Michael Stewart having to be restrained as he remonstrated with the officials while leaving the field.[LNB]Hearts' insipid performance was otherwise in stark contrast to last night's remarkable drama, which saw Jefferies return to the club barely two hours after Csaba Laszlo was sacked as manager.[LNB]Jefferies, who led the club to their last major trophy in 1998, had less than 24 hours to prepare his side for this afternoon's game.[LNB]He was joined in the dugout by long-time lieutenant Billy Brown and Gary Locke, though neither are yet officially employed by the Jambos.[LNB]Jefferies' first Hearts team of his second spell in charge showed four changes from the Laszlo's final selection.[LNB]Former Kilmarnock boss Jefferies handed a first SPL start to young full-back Rocky Visconte and recalled Christian Nade, Gary Glen and Dawid Kucharski.[LNB]Saints changed half their outfield line-up, drafting in Deuchar, Graham Gartland, Murray Davidson, Filipe Morais and Steven Milne.[LNB]Hearts enjoyed more possession early on but Saints posed the greater threat, the ball over the top proving particularly effective.[LNB]That helped set up a Chris Millar shot which was too close to Marian Kello, as well as a good chance for Milne, who skied his finish under pressure.[LNB]Morais also tried his luck from long range in what was generally a subdued start from both sides.[LNB]The repeated complaints about Hearts' lack of firepower which were partly behind Laszlo's dismissal were looking more than justified as Nade and Glen struggled to make any impact.[LNB]The same could not be said for Morais, who got in behind again 11 minutes from the break and saw a shot blocked when a cross looked the better option.[LNB]Milne went close four minutes later, heading over off balance after more fine work from Millar.[LNB]It was no surprise to see Jefferies hand the fit-again Andrew Driver his first appearance for almost three months as he withdrew Marius Zaliukas during the interval.[LNB]It took less than a minute for Hearts to respond with their first shot, Glen volleying over when well placed after Dave Mackay missed his clearing header.[LNB]At the other end, Deuchar failed to connect properly with Millar's cross and Milne drilled wide from a tight angle.[LNB]A goal looked inevitable and it arrived in the sixth minute when Danny Grainger's low left-wing cross was turned in by Deuchar, the striker's first SPL goal for almost two years.[LNB]Jefferies immediately withdrew Visconte for Marius Cinikas.[LNB]The new man soon made an impact, crossing for Nade, who should have hit the target with a free header.[LNB]Otherwise, Hearts were showing little sign of equalising, so Jefferies threw on Gordon Smith for Glen midway through the half, while Saints introduced Cillian Sheridan for Deuchar.[LNB]Davidson became the first player booked for a high challenge on Stewart.[LNB]Kucharski might have conceded a penalty when Milne went down in the box before Sheridan sidefooted tamely at Kello.[LNB]Gartland was carded for an off-the-ball offence spotted by one of Euan Norris' assistants.[LNB]Saints were not sitting on their lead and Millar saw a shot blocked before Sheridan again finished weakly, this time from outside the box.[LNB]Liam Craig replaced the fading Morais with 12 minutes remaining.[LNB]Five minutes later, Grainger came to the hosts' rescue when he headed Driver's wicked cross behind.[LNB]But Sheridan should have made the game safe when he blasted Milne's cross-cum-shot against the post.[LNB]Millar was booked late on for tripping Driver, whose resulting free-kick was deflected though to Smith, but the youngster volleyed over.[LNB]Saints brought on Paul Sheerin for Kevin Moon in stoppage-time before the game ended in high drama.[LNB]Stewart was booked for dissent, Smith saw what looked a certain equaliser blocked by Gary Irvine and Stewart betrayed his frustration at the final whistle.[LNB][LNB][LNB]
