Gretna 1-1 Hearts

Laryea Kingston opened the scoring for Hearts at Fir Park

Laryea Kingston scored at both ends as Gretna claimed their second draw of the season against Hearts, who played much of the game with 10 men.

Michael Stewart was shown a straight red card after 20 minutes after lashing out at Danny Grainger.

But Kingston's sublime chip over goalkeeper Greg Fleming put Hearts into a deserved lead six minutes later.

Gretna levelled three minutes into the second half when the unlucky Kingston turned in Fabian Yantorno's cross.

Interview: Hearts assistant head coach Stephen Frail

Interview: Gretna head coach David Irons

Hearts had recalled Kingston, Marius Zaliukas and goalkeeper Anthony Basso, with Andrius Velicka, Ibrahim Tall and Steve Banks dropping out.

Gretna handed a debut to Nigerian striker Henry Makinwa, with Allan Jenkins and Brendan McGill missing out.

Aurelien Collin returned to the defence following injury, but the Gretna backline were under pressure early on and survived a desperate goalmouth scramble.

Zaliukas' first shot was blocked by goalkeeper Greg Fleming and his attempt on the rebound was cleared off the line before Christian Nade's shot was blocked.

But Hearts suffered a blow after 20 minutes when Stewart was sent off.

Grainger reacted to Stewart's heavy challenge and the Hearts midfielder lashed out in retaliation.

The red card from Mike Tumilty appeared harsh considering there were no harsh blows exchanged.

Maichel Stewart was sent off after just 20 minutes

But Hearts responded positively and took the lead six minutes later.

Andrew Driver turned the ball to the edge of the box, where Kingston steadied himself before chipping the ball delightfully over Fleming.

Paul Murray fired wide from long range and Fabian Yantorno sent a header straight at Basso as Gretna attempted to strike back.

Hearts were came close to increasing their lead when Zaliukas flicked on a Kingston free-kick and Christophe Berra just failed to connect at the back post.

Gretna went closer still on the stroke of half-time when Ryan McGuffie's header across the face of goal from a Yantorno corner just evaded a team-mate.

Yantorno was first to threaten after the break, forcing a fine, one-handed save from Basso following a curling effort from the edge of the box.

But Gretna's breakthrough was not long in coming, Kingston diverting Yantorno's cross into his own net after 48 minutes.

Eggert Jonsson was inches away from restoring Hearts' lead when his powerful 20-yard strike deflected off Chris Innes.

Yantorno forced Basso to scramble his shot wide after good footwork in the box, while late Hearts pressure failed to produce a goal and both sides had to settle for a draw.

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Gretna: Fleming, Grainger, Collin, Innes, McGuffie (Graham 59), Murray (Jenkins 90), Skelton, Horwood, Grady (Buscher 86), Yantorno, Makinwa.
Subs Not Used: Caig, Cowan, Paartalu, Deverdics.

Booked: Yantorno, Collin, Grady, Innes.

Goals: Kingston 49 og.

Hearts: Basso, Neilson, Zaliukas, Berra, Goncalves, Ksanavicius, Kingston, Stewart, Jonsson (Palazuelos 90), Nade (Velicka 59), Driver.
Subs Not Used: Banks, Wallace, Elliot, Ivaskevicius, McGowan.

Sent Off: Stewart (21). Booked: Berra, Jonsson, Zaliukas, Ksanavicius, Goncalves.

Goals: Kingston 27.

Att: 1,544

Ref: M Tumilty