A defensive howler from Hearts captain Steven Pressley ended his side's
11-match unbeaten run in the Bank of Scotland Premier League to hand bottom club
Partick Thistle only their fourth win of the season.
The Scotland international's attempted back header was intercepted by former
Queen of the South striker Andy Thomson in the 49th minute and he lobbed on-rushing
Hearts keeper Craig Gordon with aplomb.
The win was no more than Thistle deserved after the Glasgow side had dominated
the first-half.
But the Jambos' agony was compounded by the dismissal of midfielder Paul
Hartley in the 87th minute for his second bookable offence.
An indication of what was to come in the 90 minutes was evident in the early
stages as Partick showed they were not going to be a pushover for the in-form
Jambos with their combative midfield snapping round the heels of their
opponents.
James Grady demonstrated the Jags' commitment when he chased down a hopeful
ball and challenged Craig Gordon.
He appeared to have every right to put his foot in but referee Alan Freeland
deemed other wise and booked the striker, who was a threat throughout the
afternoon.
On the half-hour mark, Grady went close again when he threw his tiny frame at
Derek Fleming's fine left-wing cross and just failed to make contact.
Hearts head coach Craig Levein, clearly realising his team were second best,
hauled off Neil Janczyk on 33 minutes and replaced him with Joe Hamill.
The visitors finally showed some sign of life five minutes before half-time
when Robbie Neilson's raking diagonal pass picked out Hamill six yards out.
The substitute volleyed over, however, and, although Hartley did likewise from
a promising position moments later, it remained goalless at half-time.
The second half started in controversial circumstances when Freeland booked
Jamie Mitchell for diving after the midfielder went down in the box following a
short corner.
But the Jags got the goal their play in the first-half deserved when Pressley
produced a moment of madness to allow Thomson to steal a goal with his clever
ball over the top of Gordon.
Freeland then evened up the bookings for diving when he showed Hartley the
yellow card for going down too easily.
The Jags remained dangerous on the break and former Celtic youngster McBride's
aggressive run down the right required Gordon to be smartly out of his box to
clear.
At the other end, Hamill, who provided Hearts with more energy after his
introduction, pulled a drive wide of Jamie Langfield's left-hand post.
The second half was always simmering and Hartley was given his marching orders
three minutes from time when he followed through on Mitchell, leaving Freeland
little choice but to issue the former St Johnstone midfielder with his second
yellow of the afternoon.
Sub Gerry Britton set up Willie Howie, who would have made it 2-0 in injury
time but for a brilliant save from Gordon.
However, Thomson's opportunist strike was enough for a rare win for Thistle.
Teams
Partick: Langfield, Billy Gibson, Anis, Murray, Madaschi,
Fleming, Mitchell, McBride (Howie 83), Rowson, Grady,
Thomson (Britton 90).
Subs Not Used: Arthur, Chiarini, Bonnes.
Booked: Grady, Mitchell, Murray, Fleming.
Goals: Thomson 49.
Hearts: Gordon, Maybury, Pressley, McKenna, Webster, Neilson,
Janczyk (Hamill 33), Hartley, MacFarlane (Simmons 79),
Wyness (Kirk 52), de Vries.
Subs Not Used: Moilanen, Kisnorbo.
Sent Off: Hartley (87).
Booked: Hartley, Maybury.
Att: 4,043
Ref: A Freeland (Scotland).
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
Facebook