Spartans FC 0-1 Hearts

A first-half strike from Euan Henderson was the only goal of the game as the Jambos made it three friendly wins from three this pre-season.

Robbie Neilson made wholesale changes to the side that started Tuesday night's friendly at East Fife. Harry Stone replaced Ross Stewart between the sticks and there were also starting berths for the likes of Aaron McEneff, Cammy Devlin and Alan Forrest.

 After an uneventful opening 9 minutes, the Jambos took the lead with their first chance of the game. Andy Halliday's ball into the centre of the box found Devlin who saw his shot saved, allowing Henderson to roll the ball into the empty net from close range. 

Devlin and Henderson both went close prior to the 20 minute mark with Ginnelly the provider on both occasions, however, neither could hit the target with their volleys from inside the box.

Hearts were, as expected, dominating possession and carved out more opportunities as the half wore on. Ginnelly danced his way through the right side of the box only to be denied by the keeper before Devlin fired inches wide from a Forrest cross.

The second half was 12 minutes old when Connor Smith saw a dipping shot zip narrowly wide of the far post. On the hour mark, Robbie replaced the entire outfield ten with the likes of Liam Boyce, Jorge Grant and Stephen Kingsley entering the frey, alongside youngsters Aidan Denholm, Finlay Pollock and Aaron Darge.

The boys in maroon were camped in the final third for much of the half but with the hosts defending deep and diligently, clear-cut chances proved hard to come by and there were to be no further goals at Ainslie Park.

The Jambos are back in action this coming Saturday when Bonnyrigg Rose visit Tynecastle for a 3pm kick-off.

Spartans FC: Carswell, Herd, Swann, Inglis, Waugh, Woods, Armstrong, McFarland, Brown, Jones, Whyte. Subs: Maxwell, Trialist, Henderson, Penker, Trialist, Dishington, Trialist, Trialist.

Hearts: Stone, Forrest, Halliday, Loga, Sibbick, Neilson, Ginnelly, McEnneff, Henderson, Devlin, C.Smith. Subs: Stewart (not used) From 60min: Trialist, Cochrane, Trialist, Grant, Boyce, Kingsley, Pollock, Denholm, Darge, Haring.