Hearts B were defeated 5-1 by Caledonian Braves at Alliance Park on Saturday.
Despite an equaliser from Callen Robb, the Wee Jambos ended up trailing 4-1 at half-time.
Angus Beith made X changes from the 1-1 draw against Cumbernauld Colts last time out.
Lyndon Tas started in goal over Jack Lyon, Lucas Smith came in for Liam Kelly in defence, Josh Radcliffe replaced Henry James at left full-back, Owen Muirhead returned in midfield over Charlie Sanders and Callen Robb was preferred to Connor Dow in attack.
Euan Glasgow also made his return from injury as he started from the off.
Hearts started the match on the front foot. In the third minute, it came to Owen Muirhead who unleashed a powerful low strike from distance, which forced BernardWhite to palm it away.
On 11 minutes, Josh Radcliffe fired in an inviting cross to the back post. It narrowly missed the head of Alfie Osborne and came to Callen Robb who couldn’t direct his effort on target from close range.
But the Wee Jambos couldn’t capitalise on their early attacking pressure as the hosts took the lead not long after.
Hearts goalkeeper Lyndon Tas came a long way off his line and Lennon Walker beat him to the ball and calmly slotted home for 1-0.
The Jam Tarts got an equaliser in the 35th minute. Josh Radcliffe whipped in a great cross for striker Callen Robb who headed past White for 1-1.
But the lead was short lived as Walker drove into the box and finished low into the bottom left corner for 2-1.
Walker grabbed an assist as he whipped in a cross from the right wing and Marc Kelly was left free in the box to head home for 3-1.
Just before the break, the corner was played to Calum Biggar who curled one into the top right corner for 4-1.
Half-time: Caledonian Braves 4-1 Hearts
Despite a damning scoreline, the Wee Jambos looked to keep their heads high going into the second 45.
In a half of limited chances, Hearts’ best arrived in the 69th minute. The ball was whipped in from the left and skipper Gregor Crookston met it with the header, but his effort went wide of the post.
The Jam Tarts were reduced to 10 men as Owen Muirhead was shown a straight red card in the 80th minute.
In the 90th minute, The Braves well and truly sealed the victory. The ball was lofted into the box and Dom McMahon took a touch before rifling one into the bottom left corner for 5-1.
In the end, it was a disappointing afternoon for the Wee Jambos as they were defeated in the Lowland League.
Speaking to the Official Hearts Website at full-time, Angus Beith said:
“I thought in the first half we actually played really well. We created three or four really good chances, but when you make mistakes like we do, they lead to good opportunities and goals. All that good play means very little, unfortunately. That's the real disappointment today. We've conceded 4 out of the five goals which were avoidable.
“It obviously shows a lack of resilience and a lack of composure as well. I think after we conceded the goals, we showed some really good moments in possession that looked like we were getting a grip of the game again and in control, but our recognition of potential risk and our decision making around that is really, really poor and that's what cost us today and it has cost us a lot this season, unfortunately.
“The second-half was pleasing because I think we made better decisions in key areas. When I say key areas, the defensive third for us, we managed the risk a little bit better and we made better decisions in those areas of the pitch. So yeah, that was pleasing, but I think the damage was already done in the game.”
Caledonian Braves: White, Brown, Stewart, Stewart, Guthrie ©, Martins,Kelly, McLaren, Murray, Walker, Biggar
Subs: King, McNeil, Breadner, McDowall, McMahon, McArthur, Prince Okosun
Hearts: Tas, Crookston ©, Smith, Osborne, Haddow (Dow, 63’), Glasgow (Kelly, 63’), Radcliffe (James, 71’), Muirhead, Wilson (Sanders, 63’), Walker, Robb (Ross, 90’)
Subs: MacDonald, James, Ross, Dow, Sanders, Kelly
