Falkirk 2-1 Hearts: Player ratings, what went wrong, John Beaton message, £50 notes, Falkirk first

Falkirk ended Hearts’ nine-game unbeaten run with a 2-1 victory which exposed the Tynecastle side’s defensive deficiencies at the Falkirk Stadium. Ben Krauhaus and Owen Eames scored either side of James Wilson’s equaliser for the visitors, who missed out on the opportunity to move second in the William Hill Premiership table.

This was Hearts’ least convincing domestic display of the campaign so far and left head coach Wouter Vrancken frustrated. The Belgian was animated on the touchline throughout as he watched his team toil to find rhythm. For his Falkirk counterpart John McGlynn, there was cause to celebrate a first league win of 2026/27 against one of the country’s stronger teams.

Hearts had opportunities to take the lead at 1-1, most notably through substitute JJ Williams, however they could not capitalise. Overall, they lacked a cutting edge and guile for much of the evening, and were erratic too often when passing from defence. The back line looked disjointed and they played their way into trouble at times trying to pass out. Falkirk punished them when Eames collected Harry Milne’s slack pass to score what proved to be the winning goal after 68 minutes.

Vrancken made six changes to the Tynecastle team which triumphed 3-0 along the road at Stenhousemuir in Friday’s Premier Sports Cup tie. The most notable was a starting place for midfielder Yan Dhanda, who last made the club’s starting XI in May 2025. He was eager to seize this opportunity after injuries and illness affected colleagues.

There were a few colourful chants towards referee John Beaton from the travelling fans following his part in strongly disputed decisions at the end of last season which contributed to Celtic’s narrow league title win over Hearts. Some branded fake £50 notes with the official’s face under a ‘Bank of SFA’ title.

Some Falkirk supporters also directed boos and jeers at Calvin Miller during the warm-up following his summer move to Edinburgh. Their unchanged team made an early mark with the opening goal on eight minutes. Full-back Ryan Strain sprung the offside trap to sprint onto Brad Spencer’s long forward ball. He cut the ball back for Krauhaus to side-foot home.

Falkirk deserved their lead and continued sending balls down their right side in behind the Hearts left-back Milne. However, they were outdone on the same side when the Tynecastle side equalised on 22 minutes. Scotland call-up Josh McPake skinned Strain and his low cross was calmly converted by Wilson from close range. The teenager should have done better from another McPake cutback seconds later but a bobbling ball meant his shot soared into the stand.

The 1-1 interval scoreline reflected the fairly even nature of this affair. Falkirk were causing problems moving the ball forward at pace. They would have gone 2-1 ahead early in the second half but Hearts goalkeeper Beau Reus saved Finley Barbrook’s attempt with his legs after Jacob Murrell’s clever lay-off. The visitors had replaced goalscorer Wilson with recent American signing Williams during the interval and tried to increase the tempo.

Dhanda’s 55th-minute cross landed for Williams to side-foot home just a few yards from goal, however he didn’t get a clean connection and the Falkirk keeper Scott Bain repelled the attempt. Bain beat away Miller’s 20-yard drive on the hour mark before the winger was substituted to a round of applause. Bain blocked another Williams shot while, at the opposite end, Eames should have scored after dispossessing Laurent Mendy but his effort was deflected wide of target.

Eames was gifted the ball on 68 minutes after collecting Milne’s wayward pass inside. He made the most of the opportunity by stepping forward to dispatch a right-footed effort in off Reus’ right post. That was sufficient to secure Falkirk’s first win of the Premiership season - although Ross hit a post late on and CJ Fodrey somehow fired the rebound over the bar in front of an empty goal. McGlynn will now look to build on the positivity, while Hearts must regroup ahead of Saturday night’s trip to relegation-threatened Kilmarnock.

Here are the Hearts player ratings from the Falkirk Stadium: