Hearts B were beaten 2-1 by Cumbernauld Colts at Ainslie Park on Friday night.
Angus Beith made three changes from the Wee Jambos’ last match against Berwick Rangers as Jack Lyon, Gus Stevenson and Matty Gillies all came into the starting XI as Jamie MacDonald, Callum Sandilands and Macaulay Tait were absent.
The visitors arrived at the foot of the Lowland League table, but they started the brighter of the two teams and after a flurry of early corners, Euan Ross sliced an effort wide from inside the area.
The men in maroon slowly began to grow into the game, zipping the ball about with a bit more intensity as Mackenzie Ross fired the Jambos’ first effort of the evening just over the bar, after Bobby McLuckie had brought the ball under his spell.
Jack Lyon has impressed in recent matches between the sticks, and he produced a world-class save to keep out Adam Carnwath on 18 minutes, a strong hand from the stopper pushed his powerful strike from the edge of the area over the bar.
It was in vain however, as from the resulting corner, Callum Wilson headed home at the front post to give the visitors the lead.
Hearts almost fashioned an immediate response on 24 minutes. Direct running from Dom Plank saw the winger get to the byline down the left and his floated cross was met by Ross, but his header dropped just wide.
Colts were organised out of possession and Hearts’ main chances were coming from crosses into the box with both Ross and Kai Smutek heading wide towards the end of the half.
Half-time: Hearts B 0-1 Cumbernauld Colts
Into the second half and Ryan Duncan almost levelled the scores on 53 minutes. After a powerful run, he dragged a right-foot shot inches wide of the target as the men in maroon looked to come out the traps fast.
It was one-way traffic after the break, but the Wee Jambos were struggling to find the equaliser and with numbers pushing forward, Colts almost added a second on the break, but Carnwrath dragged his effort just wide from a tight angle.
Carnwrath came even closer just four minutes later, when curling a free kick from 25-yards off the crossbar.
Time was running out for Hearts but with ten minutes to go, Matty Gillies drove forward and picked his spot, drilling the ball low into the bottom corner to restore parity.
The Wee Jambos’ tails were up after that goal and they should really have completed the comeback just two minutes later as Plank drove forward before laying the ball off to McLuckie, but on his left foot, he curled the ball over.
Cumbernauld regained their lead five minutes from time as a mistake at the back allowed Ashton Pellow in behind and he took the ball round Jack Lyon and rolled the ball into the empty net to give the visitors all three points.
Hearts: Lyon, Smith, Nair ©, Smutek, Stevenson, McLuckie, Duncan, Plank, Gillies, Ross (Robb, 75), Crookston (Drysdale, 60)
Subs: Tas, Drysdale, James, Robb
Cumbernauld Colts: Godik, McGale, Dickson, Moy, Borland, Wilson, Foster, Holmes, Malcolm, Ross, Carnwath
Subs: Kearney, Binnie, Pellow, Dunn, White, Malcolm
