Hearts suffered their first defeat in the UEFA Conference League this evening, going down 2-0 to FC Heidenheim at Tynecastle Park.
After a dominant first half showing from the Jambos, two second half goals were enough to send the Germans home with three points.
Hearts carved out a glorious chance after just two minutes, some slack passing between the Heidenheim centre-backs allowed Blair Spittal to press them into releasing the ball, with Shankland latching on forcing a chance at Muller in goal.
The Jambos were aggressive and in the German’s faces right from the off, with Shankland forcing another save from Muller on eight minutes after a delightful reverse ball from Dhanda sent him deep into the Heidenheim box, with the keeper parrying from a tight angle.
Chances kept tumbling the way of Critchley’s men, with Frankie Kent steering a header agonisingly wide at the back post after a well executed move from Spittal to both win and deliver the resulting corner.
James Penrice was next up, his quick cross from the left steering towards goal, with Muller forced into palming it away from danger. Moments later, Spittal watched a chanced steered wide after a marvellous ball from Alan Forrest.
Heidenheim’s sole chance came from a corner. Craig Gordon punched the ball as far as Lennard Maloney, who headed the ball back to an unguarded net, with Malachi Boateng making a vital hooked clearance off the line.
It was a half dominated by Hearts, but there were no goals to report as both sides headed into the break all square.
HT: Heart of Midlothian 0-0 Heidenheim
Heidenheim claimed the lead after 57 minutes through Sirlord Conteh, who stopped to despatch a thumping header beyond the reach of Craig Gordon as the Germans claimed the lead.
Naturally, Heidenheim took a lift from their goal and started to shade possession as the half went on. Hearts still had their moments, but Heidenheim were smart in their play and kept the ball well to suffocate the Jambos’ ability to get up the pitch as the half went on.
Lawrence Shankland saw a powerful effort go over the bar following good build up play, whilst Frankie Kent watched his stooping header go inches wide at the back post following a good delivery from Spittal at the corner.
With just minutes left of regular time, Schnopper sent a header beyond Gordon and put the game out of reach for Hearts.
Hearts: Gordon, Kent, Kingsley, Baningime (Devlin 63’), Shankland, Spittal, Forrest, Boateng (Grant 76’), Dhanda (Vargas 63’), Penrice, Forrester (Oyegoke 76’)
Subs: Clark, Halkett, Oyegoke, Grant, McKay, Devlin, Rowles, Wilson, Tait, Boyce, Vargas, Salazar
Heidenheim: Muller, Busch (Traore 36’), Siersleben, Breunig (Pieringer 82’), Kerber, Beck (Schoppner 82’), Kaufmann (Honsak 45’), Theuerkauf, Conteh (Wanner 61’), Maloney
Subs: Eicher, Feller, Schoppner, Gimber, Scienza, Wanner, Honsak, Pieringer, Fohrenbach, Traore, Janes, Dorsch
