Hearts B were held to a 1-1 draw by Cowdenbeath on Friday night at the Vanloq Community Stadium – Ainslie Park, despite leading at the interval through Aiden Haddow’s strike.
Samuel Newman levelled for the visitors shortly after the restart, ensuring the points were shared in Pilton.
Angus Beith rang the changes following last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at Gala Fairydean Rovers. Liam Kelly, Henry James, Charlie Sanders, Aiden Haddow, Josh Radcliffe and Liam Walker all came in, with Lucas Smith, Alfie Wilson, Owen Muirhead, Euan Banks, Jaedon Donkor and Taylor Hogarth making way.
The Wee Jambos made a bright start and went ahead with their first effort of the evening.
After 14 minutes, Stanley Wilson burst into the box and fired low towards goal. Cowdenbeath keeper Dion Gear pushed the effort away, but Haddow reacted sharply to guide the rebound into the corner with his left foot.
The goal lifted Hearts, who began to dominate the attacking play. Haddow continued to look dangerous, testing Gear again with a curling effort from the edge of the box which the goalkeeper tipped over.
Moments later, the forward created another opening, driving down the left before sliding a pass to Connor Dow, whose first-time strike drifted narrowly wide.
Cowdenbeath offered reminders of their threat, with full-back Newman delivering a teasing low cross which evaded everyone in the middle.
Hearts, however, finished the half on top as Dow forced another comfortable save from Gear after being played in by the lively Haddow.
Half-time: Hearts 1-0 Cowdenbeath.
The pattern shifted after the break as Cowdenbeath grew into the contest, particularly from set pieces. Captain Jack Denham headed over from close range early in the half before the visitors equalised on 54 minutes.
A corner from the right was met by Newman, who peeled away at the back post and nodded past Lyon to bring Cowden level.
Hearts looked to respond and came close just after the hour when Dow attempted to lift the ball over Gear, only to see it drop agonisingly wide.
Substitute Callen Robb provided a spark late on, cutting the ball back for Henry James, but Cowdenbeath’s defence scrambled clear.
The Wee Jambos pressed for a winner in stoppage time as Alfie Osborne rose to meet a corner, but his header flew wide, meaning Hearts had to settle for a point at Ainslie Park.
Speaking to the Official Hearts Website at full-time, Angus Beith said:
“I think they probably deserved to win the game. I think we managed to limit them to, I think it was five or six shots today. I thought we defended the box well and stopped crosses, which was really pleasing.
“We had two really good chances in the second half to win the game. Firstly with Connor and then Alfie at the corner. So I’m disappointed we didn't win it, the boys are disappointed in there, but there were lots of pleasing aspects today.
“I think with last week being so disappointed against Gala with the performance level and the result, it was great to see a reaction first and foremost. and I thought we showed some real good moments of quality on the ball.
“We can still be better and can still have a little bit more composure and quality in the final third. We saw that much more today, which was pleasing. It was just unfortunate that we couldn't take the two chances that we created to win the game.”
Beith was happy to see Aiden Haddow get back amongst the goals in a maroon jersey after facing some injury issues so far this campaign.
“It was brilliant. He's been struggling with his groin for a period of time, so he's kind of been in and out and he's not really got going this year at all. He's had a couple of niggles in other parts as well, so great for him to firstly perform well tonight and then get the goal as well.”
The manager looked ahead to Tuesday night’s enticing home clash against championship side St Johnstone in the last 32 of the KDM Evolution Trophy.
“It’s certainly going to be a tough game for us, but it's one that we're relishing. I think they're obviously in a tremendous spot at the moment playing some brilliant football, it looks like they're going to be the team that perhaps goes and gets promoted. So we're absolutely loving the prospect of that challenge.
“It's going to be a really tough game, but I think if you're a football player and if you're a young player making your way in the game, you want to go and perform at that level and go and prove yourself. So I think we've got a few boys that will be undoubtedly anxious because they're a good side, but I think they'll be hungry to perform as well and looking forward to it.”
Hearts: Lyon, Crookston © (A. Wilson, 74’), James, Osborne, Dow, Haddow (Ross, 74’), Radcliffe, Sanders (Hogarth, 82’), Kelly, Wilson, Walker (Robb, 74’)
Subs: Tas, Smith, Ross, Wilson, Hogarth, Robb
Cowdenbeath: Gear, Walker, Newman, Williamson, Denham ©, Wedderburn, Downie, Allan, Lawson, Mauchin, Ness
Subs: Watt, Adamson, McLean, McDowell, Haldane, Mwangi, Petrie
