Livingston 1 – 2 Hearts

L. Smith (26′)   C. Braga (47′) A. Kyziridis (90+1)

Two second-half goals saw the Jambos come from behind to beat Livingston at The Set Fare Arena.

Around 6,000 Hearts fans made the short journey west from Edinburgh, and after a frantic opening, their side settled better.

Claudio Braga bagged two off the bench against Motherwell last Saturday. He latched onto a clipped Lawrence Shankland pass but dragged his shot across the goal for the game’s first chance.

Livingston won their first league match at home three weeks ago, but struggled for clear-cut chances in the opening twenty minutes

Hearts continued to grow into the game, Braga and Shankland linked again, but the Hearts captain could not direct his header on target.

Livingston took the lead in the 26th minute, Lewis Smith marauded forward on the right, and his low drive beat Zander Clark at the front post. The goal was slightly against the run of play and silenced the large visiting support.

The goal invigorated Livingston, who threatened the Hearts box again through Tete Yengi soon after.

Hearts struggled to break down a drilled Livingston defence for the remainder of the first period, Blair Spittal’s blocked shot being their closest effort.

Livingston had a chance to double their tally, but after stealing possession on the left, Robbie Muirhead’s fired cross had no takers.

Yengi came close again on the stroke of halftime, rolling the ball onto his right foot but firing straight at Clark in goal.

The halftime whistle blew to boos from the away support. This was the third straight league match that Hearts were behind at the break; Derek McInnes’ men had to improve.

Alexandros Kyziridis replaced Craig Halkett at halftime and made an instant impact. Following a corner kick, the Greek winger fired a right-footed cross, which Braga glanced home to level the game.

Livingston looked to hit back straight away, but Muirhead’s thunderous free-kick arrowed right of the goal.

Kyziridis continued to energise the visitors’ attack as Hearts pressed for a second. He glided infield after 55 minutes, but after beating a yellow shirt, rolled a tame shot at Jerome Prior’s goal.

Hearts now played with a conviction, something they lacked for much of the first half. Braga beat the offside trap soon after, but his low cross couldn’t find the feet of Shankland.

Braga had another chance to score from the right-hand side of the box, but his shot grazed the side netting.

Hearts’ newest signing, Eduardo Ageu Almeida Santos, came off the bench and added further presence in the forward areas. He linked with Cameron Devlin, but unleashed a 20-yard strike wide of Prior’s goal.

Braga looked set to give Hearts the lead in the 80th minute. Prior had smothered Ageu’s poked strike, but the forward could only hit the post with the goal beckoning.

The home side responded through Stevie May’s inviting free kick. Unfortunately for Livingston, the whipped ball had no takers and bobbled into the hands of Clark in goal.

Hearts won the game in stoppage time. Kyziridis picked up the ball on the edge of the box and whipped a low strike around Prior, causing frenzy in the away end.

The home side almost equalised in the final seconds, Connor McLennan rose freely in the box but could only divert his header wide.

Livingston: Prior 7 Montgomery 6 McGowan 6 Wilson 6 Smith 6 Finlayson 6 Pittman 6 Sylla 6 Bokila 6 Muirhead 7 Yengi 5

Substitutes: Shinnie 6 Winter 6 McLennan 6 May 6

Hearts: Clark 6 Kent 6 Halkett 6 Spittal 6 Findlay 6 Milne 6 McEntee 6 Beningime 7 Devlin 6 Spittal 6 Braga 8 Shankland 6

Substitutes: Kyziridis 8 Ageu 7 Kerjota 6 Kabangu 5