Heart of Midlothian 2 - 0 Aberdeen

It was the culmination of a bad week for Aberdeen as they lost back-to-back league matches for the first time this season and the dismal record at Tynecastle and on BBC Alba continues. Hearts made the breakthrough in the 31st minute when a corner was swung into the Aberdeen box and Magennis was adjudged to have pulled down McGowan. The referee pointed to the spot and Stevenson bulleted the ball past Langfield despite the keeper guessing the right direction. Substitute Paterson added a second after the break and despite rallying in the last 20 minutes the Dons didn't look like ending their three year wait for a goal against the Edinburgh side.

Hearts kicked off the match in front of a lively crowd inside Tynecastle, but it was Aberdeen who enjoyed early possession that resulted in the first corner after three minutes. The ball was comfortably cleared and a second corner a minute later was too deep. The pressure continued and Hearts were starting to wobble in these early stages as a long throw from Magennis caused problems for the home defence. Good play between Hayes, Smith and McGinn ended with Hayes firing over, but a lively start from the Dons. At the other end Sutton shot from distance, but Langfield held comfortably.
Hayes caused problems in the 10th minute before Hearts were smartly back to tidy up as the home fans were silenced early in the match. Having failed to cash in on the early pressure Hearts were now starting to settle as the play raged at pace. Hearts were certainly building some momentum and won their first corner in the 20th minute as the home crowd woke from their slumber. The corner was easily defended, but seconds later Langfield missed a cross and the ball had to be scrambled clear. At the other end forceful play from Magennis produced another corner for the Dons as McGinn went close.

Hearts were able to clear, but Aberdeen were back on the attack minutes later as a low cross evaded everyone. At the other end McGowan headed a corner wide with 25 minutes on the clock. Aberdeen instantly broke up field and Smith and McGinn set up Hayes. His shot was parried by the keeper but the subsequent corner was cleared as Hearts were allowed to continue despite what looked like an obvious foul on Vernon. Fortunately the attack ended with a shot going wide of the target. Hearts were then awarded a free kick 20 yards out while Anderson looked in disbelief at the match official.

The wall held firm as the ball was deflected wide for a corner and when the ball came into the box the referee awarded a spot kick. Magennis was penalised for pulling own McGowan, but it will be interesting to see a replay of the incident. Stevenson was unperturbed and stepped up to make it 1-0. Aberdeen tried to hit back quickly and they forced a corner, but again Hearts held firm. The goal appeared to have affected the Dons and they looked to have lost their early rhythm. In the 38th minute Magennis bombed forward as he tried to make amends. He appeared to get caught as the ball came off the Hearts defender. It wasn't his day however as he failed to win either a free kick or a corner. A late stoppage meant three minutes of injury time, but neither side was able to add to the scoring.

Hearts won a corner in the opening minute of the second half, but Aberdeen cleared their lines comfortably. At the other end Shaughnessy fired an effort well over. Two minutes later Hearts won a second corner and Anderson had to get their body in the way to block a Zaliukas effort. Hearts were looking positive as they looked to put this game to bed and Paterson went close again in the 50th minute. Paterson did double the advantage four minutes later as a series of mistakes at the back gave the substitute an easy finish.

To be fair Aberdeen rolled up their sleeves and half chances fell for McGinn and Shaughnessy, but neither could capitalise on the chances. On the hour mark Anderson and Smith were replaced by Masson and Fallon as the Dons tried to get something from the match. Good build up play in the 63rd minute ended with a weak finish from Vernon. A Hearts corner was cleared in the 67th minute, but a second followed a minute later as the Dons struggled to get back into this match. Shaughnessy then set up Vernon and the keeper made a fine save as Aberdeen won another corner. Unfortunately the set play failed to produce that vital goal.

Aberdeen pumped up the pressure and McGinn was flagged offside as he tried to pounce following another effort from Shaughnessy. Three corners were forced in the 74th minute, but they couldn't break down the Hearts defence despite the pressure. Seconds later Masson fired high over the bar as they looked for an elusive foothold in this game. McManus then replaced Vernon as Craig Brown made the last throw of the dice. Magennis forced another corner, but they failed to threaten the Hearts goal and in the 82nd minute McManus forced a save from the Hearts keeper.

Hearts continued to slow the play down as they wasted time making the Dons were more and more frustrated. The home side then forced a corner in the 87th minute as they continued to count the clock down. Two minutes later a second corner was won as Aberdeen failed to press at the other end. A late chance was wasted by Hayes and it looked as if the three year mark would pass before Aberdeen managed to get the ball into the Hearts net. Three minutes of injury time failed to produce any further action and so the Dons now slip to fifth and need to dust themselves down before Tuesday night's important cup replay.