Jim Hamilton gave title-chasing Hearts the perfect start with a goal after
just 86 seconds tonight.
Neil McCann delivered a cross from the left after shrugging off a challenge
from Aberdeen defender Ilian Kiriakov and Hamilton evaded his marker to power
home a header against the club he supported as a boy for his 12th goal of the
season.
Hearts supporters turned out in force to see this latest chapter in their
championship challenge, the game being delayed 15 minutes because of a
near-capacity crowd.
Manager Jim Jefferies left his hospital bed to watch the game from the stand,
after being laid up with a back injury.
But Aberdeen, with only one defeat in their last four matches, made a decent
show of it in the first half and had plenty of possession.
They had loud appeals for a penalty dismissed by referee Garry Mitchell when
Eoin Jess had his legs taken from him by Colin Cameron.
Hearts looked edgy despite that early goal, but almost added a second when
John Inglis nearly steered a shot from Grant Murray past his own keeper, Jim
Leighton.
Hamilton, inspired by only his second goal at home this season, then saw
another effort take a deflection off Inglis and spin narrowly over.
Aberdeen looked sprightly and dangerous on the break, with Dean Windass
narrowly off target after a fine cross from Stephen Glass.
However, they were indebted to Leighton four minutes before the break, when he
superbly pushed over a point-blank header from David Weir after Colin Cameron
sent in a deep cross.
HT: Hearts 1 Aberdeen 0
Aberdeen drew level after 61 minutes after Gary Smith had carved out the
opening.
He slipped a precise pass to Eoin Jess, who tucked the ball beyond keeper
Gilles Rousset.
But Hearts showed their strength of character by regaining the lead in the
63rd minute with a magnificent goal from Gary Naysmith.
He picked up a loose ball 40 yards out, raced forward and hit an unstoppable
left foot shot from 25 yards past keeper Leighton.
Teams
Hearts: Rousset, Locke (Salvatori 58), Naysmith, Weir, Murray,
Ritchie, McCann, Fulton, Adam (Flogel 82), Cameron (Quitongo 86),
Hamilton.
Goals: Hamilton 2, Naysmith 63, McCann 77.
Aberdeen: Leighton, Kiriakov, Whyte, O'Neil (O'Neill 82), Inglis,
Smith, Rowson, Jess, Windass (Miller 79), Dodds, Glass.
Subs Not Used: Anderson.
Goals: Jess 61.
Att: 17,600
Ref: G Mitchell (Arbroath).
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