Mistake-ridden Hearts slipped to a confidence-sapping defeat at the Falkirk Stadium, the battling home side earning a valuable three points at their expense and The Bairns move up to tenth in the table, ahead of Dundee United.
John McGlynn’s men were worthy winners in this contest and the Jambos head coach Wouter Vrancken had warned pre-match that Falkirk were better than their lowly position and points tally indicated. So it proved.
The Men in Maroon’s unbeaten nine-game unbeaten run was halted abruptly and they are now six points behind pace-setting Celtic after on-loan Owen Eames slotted following a critical lapse from Hearts’ skipper, Harry Milne. He sent the ball straight to the Derby County midfielder in a dangerous area and Eames accepted the gift.
Earlier, Vrancken (pictured) made six changes from the Hearts side which beat Championship leaders, Stenhousemuir, in the quarter-final of the Premier Sports Cup last Friday, and Yan Dhanda was one of them, the former Ross County player scoring at Ochilview.
It was Dhanda’s first start for 16 months and it came against a Falkirk side which has stuttered so far this term but earned a point in a draw at Dundee United last time out.
Dhanda, on loan at Dundee last season, ended up on the deck after two minutes with Falkirk midfielder, Finley Barbrook, being handed a yellow card for a hefty challenge on half-way.
Hearts were found it difficult to make headway with The Bairns pressing the ball carrier and it was McGlynn’s men who went ahead after seven minutes following a defence-splitting pass from deep into space on the right.
Unmarked midfielder Ryan Strain picked up the ball in acres of free space and had time to drive towards the by line and in behind the Hearts defence before cutting the ball back for on-loan Brentford midfielder, Ben Krauhaus, to finish clinically through a number of defenders.
It stunned the visitors who were looking for three points to move into second spot in the 12-strong William Hill Premiership and the Jambos struggled to get a foothold.
Strain was involved in another raid down the right, brushing aside Scotland call-up, Josh McPake. He cut the ball back but, on this occasion, the ball was scrambled away.
Hearts’ defender Jordi Altena left the field for treatment soon after and James Wilson and Claudio Braga saw little service from their team-mates as the clock ticked on and the frustration of Vrancken was evident in the dugout.
But Hearts responded with a neat move initiated by Milne. He spotted McPake on the left and he muscled his way past Strain and crossed into the six-yard box where Wilson was lurking. The teenager slotted with ease after 22 minutes.
Falkirk defender Liam Henderson was furious and the 19-year-old had another chance near the penalty spot minutes later after another McPake intervention, but, on this occasion, the Hearts Academy graduate blasted wildly over, a great chance wasted and the Scotland call-up should have done better. Ultimately, it proved so costly.
Falkirk were, however, pegged back as Hearts searched for a second with Laurent Mendy involved and Claudio Braga dropping deep to pick up the ball. The Portugal-based forward was, however, booked for a heavy challenge on Brad Spencer, and he was also lectured by referee John Beaton, before busy Eames latched onto a loose ball inside the Hearts’ half and drove for goal. Only a timely intervention from Stuart Findlay prevented a second for the home side.
Vrancken became more animated on the bench, urging his men to get a grip of the game, as Falkirk started to impose themselves, and Strain’s free-kick to Barbrook causing concern to a brittle rearguard. Altena cleared.
Dhanda was the second Hearts player to be booked after challenging Ethan Ross as Falkirk mounted another charge, and Milne conceded a free-kick 25 yards out after a heavy tackle on Ross.
Hearts, however, broke with McPake driving at Lewis Neilson, but the former Hearts defender sent the ball out for a corner which was wasted. Minutes later the Jambos earned another from an Altena cross and Scott Bain was forced to punch clear.
Bain was again in action when Altena bent a ball towards the Scotland squad goalkeeper, and match officials confirmed one minute of injury time in an even and entertaining game at the Falkirk Stadium.
Vrancken introduced American striker, J J Williams, who had a goal and an assist against Stenny, for Wilson, but it was Falkirk who threatened first with Brad Spencer being denied by the leg of Hearts’ goalkeeper, Beau Reus.
Hearts responded and Dhanda set-up a chance for Williams with a cross from the right, but American sent the ball straight at Bain in the Falkirk goal and the danger was cleared before
Falkirk’s first change, C J Fodrey replaced Krauhaus.
Ex-Falkirk star Miller then fired a left-foot shot at Bain who punched clear and The Bairns raced upfield and Mendy was robbed by Eames who cut to his right and fired for goal only to see Reus deflect the ball for a corner.
Reus was in action again seconds later, saving from American striker, Jacob Murrell, after slack play in the Hearts defence, and it was another American, this time Williams, who dropped his shoulder and fired low at Falkirk goalkeeper Bain only to see the ball cleared as the action raged from end to end.
Dhanda then burst forward only to be chopped down by Eames who was shown a yellow card, but the bustling player brought home fans to their feet with No 2 after 67 minutes, picking up a sack pass from Milne near the edge of the Hearts box. The 19-year-old he drew a defender before slotting low to the right of Reus and in off the post.
Hearts were again behind and struggling as Falkirk eyed a welcome three points. The Bairns turned the screw and Murrell latched on to a ball inside the box but his attempt was blocked by a desperate Jamie McCart.
Surprisingly, Hearts were starving McPake of the ball and Vrancken had seen enough, making three changes, Stephen Kingley, Sabah Kerjota and Rogers Mato coming on for Milne, McPake and Miller.
Seconds later Dhanda had a chance wide left in the Falkirk box, but his shot was blocked before Fodrey was booked for Falkirk. He was quickly followed into the book by McCart which produced a free-kick.
McGlynn then made two changes before Christian Borchgrevink came on for Findlay as Vrancken looked for a vital spark from his men. Hearts, however, became increasingly desperate, and more slackness at the back saw Reus struggle to clear a back pass and Eames clattered the Dutch goalkeeper just below his knee.
Eames departed soon after as Hearts continued to struggle for ideas, but and Braga fed the ball into the box and fed Mato who fired a low cross to Altena. He had a real chance for a first-time shot, but he fluffed his lines.
And Falkirk nearly made them pay when Ross charged in towards goal and his shot beat Reus. It rebounded off the post and fell to Fodrey but he skied it over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
No wonder the Falkirk celebrated at the final whistle, they were the better team and deserved their win, but the visitors must lick their wounds and re-group ahead of their weekend cash at Kilmarnock (17.45). They shocked Hibs 1-0 at Easter Road but remain bottom of the table.
