Hearts win away last night

Hearts bounced back from Tuesday’s disappointment at Dunfermline to came from behind to secure a 2-1 pre-season friendly win at Gillingham last night. The League Two side took the lead when Luke Rooney scored a penalty before the Gills new signing Adebayo Akinfenwa came off the bench to make his debut. The home sides’s lead didn't last long, however, and goals from Arvydas Novikovas and Ismael Bouzid gave Hearts a narrow win at Priestfield.

Gillingham’s Luke Rooney took his pre-season goal tally to seven but was on the losing side as hearts ran out winners in a well-contested friendly. The home had a first-half penalty appeal turned down when it looked as though Andy Barcham had been clipped from behind by Lee Wallace, after the winger had beaten him inside the area, but referee Gavin Ward waved play-on.The Gills had the better of the first half efforts and in-form Chris Palmer nearly scored from outside the area. A great run was followed by a dipping shot that went narrowly over. Hearts defender Darren Barr had to clear off his own line before the break, following a deflection off one of his own players, but the scores remained goalless at the break.

The scores changed with just four minutes of the second half gone. Ismael Bouzid felled the lively Stefan Payne in the area and Rooney smashed the ball high into the net past keeper Janos Balogh from the spot. However, just two minutes later Hearts were level as Ryan Stevenson found Arvydas Novikovas who finished with a low shot past Alan Julian. With six minutes left Hearts won the game with a header from Bouzid converted David Templeton’s corner.

Gillingham: Julian (Cronin 80 mins), Sinclair, Nutter (Lough 72 mins), Gowling, Bentley, J Payne (Maher 46 mins), Weston (Rooney 46mins), Palmer (Jackman 61 mins), Spiller (Aborah 61 mins), S Payne (Akinfenwa 65 mins), Barcham (McCammon 65 mins).
Unused subs: White, Essam.

Hearts: Bologh, Barr, Wallace, Mrowiec, Bouzid, Zaliukas, Satntana (Templeton 75 mins), Jonsson (McGowan 71 mins), Ellior (Thomson 67 mins), Novikovas (Smith 76 mins)
Unused subs: Black, Kello

Attendance: 2,359

Referee Gavin Ward