A late own goal by Hearts defender Daniel Oyegoke deep into injury time denied Stevie Naismith’s side what would have been a well deserved draw in their Europa League qualifier against Viktoria Plzen in the Czech Republic.
A brilliant goalkeeping performance by Craig Gordon and some composed football looked as if it was about to deliver a 0-0 scoreline for the Jambos in this first leg tie until Oyegoke’s unfortunate touch into his own net from a brilliant cross from Plzen winger Cruz in the 96th minute.
Two top drawer saves by the former Scotland no1 in the first half with his arm and a great stop with his feet in the second half allowed Hearts to grow in confidence and control large parts of this crucial first leg away tie with good possession football.
On another night, Lawrence Shankland’s two big chances in front of goal would have nestled in the back of the net at least once instead of allowing Plzen keeper Tvrdon to produce easy saves from two shots straight at him.
If Hearts can produce a similar performance in front of a full house at Tynecastle, I have no doubt they can overturn the one goal deficit in the return leg to secure group stage football in the Europa league throughout the winter months.
