Hearts Under-20s beaten by clinical Falkirk outfit

Hearts Under-20s lost 4-1 away to Falkirk in their latest Development League fixture.

Robbie Buchanan was on target for Hearts

The Jambos were first too show with Liam Henderson heading a Calumn Morrison cross past the post and Dale Baxter having a fine shot saved.

The Bairns opened the scoring on nine minutes, Scott Shepherd lobbing a through ball over Kelby Mason but Hearts were soon back on the offensive, a further Henderson header just clearing the crossbar and Robbie Buchanan having a strong shot blocked on the goal-line. Falkirk added a second goal on 39 minutes, Shepherd netting a second goal from a Mark Finlayson right-wing cross and, two minutes from half-time, Cameron Blues added a third, finishing off a fine move with a 12-yard shot.

Hearts pulled a goal back four minutes into the second half, Buchanan netting with a 12-yard shot after a Leon Jones header was cleared off the line.

The Jambos dominated a second half that became a bit scrappy but lacked the killer punch in the final third of the pitch, even although they were reduced to ten men when Morrison was sent off on 75 minutes following a second caution for simulation. Falkirk finished the match strongly with Mason having a couple of fine saves before substitute Jason Jervis added a fourth goal in stoppage time with a shot from the edge of the box.

Hearts: Mason, C Hamilton, Jones, Howlett-Mundle, Reid, Morrison, McKirdy (Roy 52), L Henderson, Baxter (McLean 52), McDonald, Buchanan. Unused subs: Fisher, K Smith, Polson.