Livingston's dream start

Francisco Quino celebrates his goal against Hearts

Livingston 2-1 Hearts

Livingston got off to a perfect start in their SPL adventure with a deserved win over Hearts.

Goals from Quino and David Fernandez on either side of the break were enough to guarantee Jim Leishman's side three points.

The West Lothian side have been in business for only six years and have made a meteoric rise through the Scottish leagues.

Leishman's cosmopolitan side were under the cosh in the early stages of the game but slowly fought their way back into the game, with Fernandez a constant threat to the Hearts rearguard.

Livingston were at full strength for the start their home Scottish Premier League debut.

But Hearts made the brighter start, almost racing into the lead within 30 seconds.

After some confusion in the home side's box, Hearts striker Gary Wales' shot from the edge of the box was headed over the bar by defender Gary Bollan for a corner.

Early storm

The home side weathered the early storm and began to mount an attack of their own in an opening period when play flowed from end to end.

Hearts forced a couple of corners in the 10th minute, but the Livingston defence held firm.

In the 18th minute, Livingston goalkeeper Broto had to react well to save at close-range from Adam as the home side's defending became increasingly desperate.

Livingston broke the deadlock after 34 minutes when Francisco Guinovat, known simply as Quino, converted a Fernandez cross.

Bollan had earlier received the first caution of the game when he kicked at Robert Tomaschek.

Up until the goal, it was Hearts who looked more likely to make the breakthrough.

Front men Stephane Adam and Wales were creating problems with their pace and movement off the ball.

But Livingston took confidence from the breakthrough, with Fernandez looking dangerous on the left flank.

Livingston defended well.

Livingston began the second half with real purpose as David Xausa broke down the right only to see his low cross driven clear by Steve Pressley.

Hearts began to win a greater share of the ball but were being thwarted by a combination of poor crossing in the final third and the influential Philippe Brinquin.

In the 50th minute, a Tomaschek pass found Robbie Neilsen in the Livingston box.

But the defender's first touch was clumsy and allowed Broto to come out and gather.

Antti Niemi came to Hearts rescue minutes later, blocking a powerful shot from Fernandez.

Gary McSwegan then replaced Wales as Hearts searched for more menace in attack.

Just before the hour, Niemi was beaten again as Fernandez took on Scott Severin before firing low past the despairing Hearts goalkeeper.

Adam then went into the book following an off-the-ball clash with Rubio, as Livingston looked the more dangerous side.

Young Hearts substitute Steven Simmons hit Hearts' first shot on target in the second half, but Broto made a comfortable save.

McSwegan was making good probing runs down the right as Hearts searched for the breakthrough.

But the Livingston defence lead by Marvin Andrews was making it a frustrating afternoon for the Tynecastle men.

Two minutes from time, Colin Cameron pulled one back for Hearts as he turned and shot past Broto, but it was too little to late for the Tynecastle captain.

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Livingston: Sanchez-Broto, Brinquin, Andrews, Rubio, Bollan,Wilson, Quino, Lovell, Bingham, Fernandez, Xausa.

Subs: Tosh, Keith, McEwan, Hart, Caputo.

Hearts: Niemi, Neilson, Pressley, Mckenna, McCann, Severin, Cameron, Tomaschek, Fulton, Adam, Wales.

Subs: Boyack, McKenzie, McSwegan, Webster, Simmons.

Referee: J Underhill (Scotland)