Hearts brought their pre-season schedule to a close with a 3-0 defeat to Fleetwood Town at Highbury.
After enjoying the lion’s share of possession in the opening exchanges, the Jambos found themselves 2-0 down after 25 minutes courtesy of first-half strikes from Danny Mayor and Ronan Coughlan.
A second half stunner from Mayor for his second killed the game off, with the Jambos punished for their lack of composure in front of goal.
Indeed, Mayor’s opening goal in the first half set the tone for the rest of the afternoon as Charlie Adam’s Cods provided a bright attacking threat as they mercilessly worked the wide channels.
Chances were initially few and far between, with the first big moment coming for Hearts after 15 minutes when Lawrence Shankland found a yard of space inside the Fleetwood penalty area, with his low driven cross finding no takers.
Fleetwood struck right before the twenty minute mark. Mayor played a one-two with his teammate inside the penalty area before curling a fine strike beyond the reach of Zander Clark in the Jambos' goal.
The hosts soon had their second. Tommy Longergan found himself in space on the right, with his teasing ball finding Coughlan inside the 18-yard box who finished from close range to extend the lead.
Five changes at half-time lifted Hearts' spirits somewhat, with Kenneth Vargas going in 1v1 with the 'keeper early in the half - with Harrington between the posts coming out on top with a fine save.
The Jambos plugged away without any real luck, but another stunner from Danny Mayor ended the game as a contest after he cut inside down the left flank and curled a sumptuous strike into the top corner.
Hearts now look ahead to the opening day of the 2024/25 William Hill Premiership season as they welcome Rangers to Tynecastle on opening day.
Town XI: Harrington (GK), Johnston (Oliver, 90′), Hunt, Wiredu (C) (Potter, 73′), Holgate, Bonds (Dolan, 75′), Virtue (Broom, 62′), Lonergan (Graydon, 62), Mayor (Smith, 75′), Coughlan (Patterson, 62′), Hughes (Helm, 62′).
Subs not used: Hewitson (GK), Devonport.
Hearts XI: Clark (GK) (Gordon, 46′), Taylor (Halkett, 46′), Penrice (Boyce, 64′), Kent, Rowles, Spittal (Oyegoke, 46′), Forrest (Grant, 46), Devlin, Shankland (C) (Tagawa, 64′), Dhanda (Musa 64'), McKay (Vargas, 46).
Subs not used: Osborne, Neilson, Fulton.
