Hearts were held at home by FC Norsdjælland in the opening match of the UEFA Conference League league phase campaign.
Oisin McEntee’s first-first half goal looked to have the Jam Tarts heading for three points but Nicklas Røjkjær’s late deflected strike meant a share of the spoils in Gorgie.
Head Coach Wouter Vrancken made two changes from the side that swept away St Mirren 5-0 last weekend. Oisin McEntee came in for the injured Ageu while Christian Borchgrevink replaced Jordi Altena.
Hearts enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening stages but the visitors looked dangerous on the break. Malachi Fagan-Walcott was the first to get a sight of goal, firing from 25-yards out but straight at Andreas Hansen.
One of those quick Nordesjælland breakaways nearly proved decisive 23 minutes in when they won possession and Prince Amoako drove into the box before striking low, only to see his shot bounce back off Beau Reus’ left-hand post.
Josh McPake was proving a threat down the left and just before the half hour mark he pounced on a loose ball to cut inside and ping one from distance but Hansen was able to gather comfortably.
Moments later the deadlock was broken and it was courtesy of the boys in maroon. Calvin Miller’s corner was inly half cleared, bouncing around inside the Nordsjælland area before McEntee burst into the six-yard box to prod the ball home.
The Jambos then had a big penalty shout turned down when James Wilson appeared to be thrown to the deck inside the box, but VAR agreed with the referee and play was waved on.
With four minutes of the half remaining Borchgrevink played an outstanding defence-splitting pass to send Claudio Braga through on goal, but the Portuguese’s shot was wayward and missed the target.
It somehow stayed 1-0 before the half was out, with Hansen pulling off three fantastic saves in quick succession, denying McEntee then Jamie McCart his near post before pushing a McPake effort narrowly around the post.
The game restarted exactly how it had finished – a hundred miles an hour. Miller showed great trickery to beat his man three times inside the visitors’ box but his effort on goal lacked power and Hansen collected.
It could’ve been 2-0 shortly after. Miller harassed the final defender, forcing him into a mistake and allowing McPake to run in on goal but he dragged his shot wide of the far post.
Nordsjælland went straight up the other end and went through on goal themselves through Alexander Lind, but Reus came rushing off his line to make himself big and make a brilliant block to deny the Danes an equaliser.
A quick switch of play saw McPake go down the left before cutting inside and finding McEntee, and his long-range piledriver flew just over the crossbar.
Reus came to the rescue again with 20-minutes remaining. Amoako found space inside the box to pull the trigger and his shot took a wicked deflection but the big keeper stuck out his leg to turn the ball away.
The Jam Tarts were inches away from doubling the lead a minute later. Miller floated a free kick into the area for Fagan-Walcott to meet but he could only steer his header wide of the target.
Norsdjælland went in search of an equaliser and, with a slice of luck, found it in the 86th minute. Røjkjær effort from the edge of the box took a massive deflection, wrongfooting Reus and nestling into the back of the net.
A cruel blow for the Jambos who go to Celtic Park on Sunday before resuming Conference League duty in Turkey against Trabzonspor next week.
Hearts: Reus, Borchgrevink, McCart, McEntee, Miller, Braga (Kerjota, 70’), McPake, Milne, Wilson (Williams, 78’), Fagan-Walcott, Mendy.
Subs: Clark, Fulton, Kingsley, Kabore, Findlay, Guendouz, Altena, Pollock, Gillies, Mato.
Nordsjælland: Hansen, Salquist, Markmann, Lahteenmaki, Brink (Rojekjaer, 64’), Amoako, Lind (Boe, 72’), Adel, Janssen, Norheim (Sadio, 64’), Nelsson (Berthelsen, 83’).
Subs: Busk, Eriksson, Ankersen, Solbakken, Acquah, Heyde, Walker, Faber.
