Hearts claimed they were victims of rough tactics and poor refereeing after starting their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Ukrainian side FC Tavriya in Austria.

Christos Karipidis netted for Hearts in Seekirchen, near Salzburg, equalising before half-time after Andriy Zborovsky had put Tavriya ahead.

Zborovsky's penalty in the second half secured victory for Tavriya.

Hearts gave a run-out to new signing Michael Stewart in the second half, and a trialist, named by the Tynecastle club as Artiz Martinez, also appeared off the bench during the closing stages.

Hearts assistant manager Stephen Frail complained about the hard tackling from Tavriya after the match, believing they repeatedly went too far, and criticised referee Norbert Schwab for failing to give the appropriate punishment.

Frail said: "I don't think he [Schwab] struggled. I think he was just poor. Some of the tackles were tasty from the Ukrainian side to say the least, then we go and lose a very, very soft penalty and he just can't wait to give it.

"It's disappointing because some of the tackles were really tasty and a couple of them should have been sent off."

Stewart was satisfied with his half-hour appearance, which came within hours of his first training session in his second spell at Hearts, who he has rejoined after two years at Hibernian.

The former Manchester United reserve, 26, told Hearts World: "I'm delighted to get started. It was a bit surreal in terms of having the first day's training and then playing a game at night as well, but it's always good to get started as quickly as possible."

He is relishing playing alongside Laryea Kingston in the Hearts midfield during the coming season.

"Obviously he's a quality player," said Stewart.

"Everyone's seen that from the time he's been at the club so far, and it's always good to play with good players. I'm no different from anyone else, I enjoy it."