Hearts come out on top in five-goal thriller

Jim Jefferies secured his first win since returning to Hearts with a 3-2 home victory over Falkirk. The win takes the Jambos back in to the top six, and condemned returning ex-captain Stephen Pressley to defeat in his first match as Falkirk boss.

The first goal of the second Jefferies era came after five minutes. New signing Ryan Stevenson showed good feet before feeding Wallace on the left. His driven cross caught out Robert Olejnik, and went straight in, to open the scoring.

David Obua was forced into a makeshift striking role, with Christian Nade’s Hearts future in doubt after an alleged fracas with team-mate Ian Black. The Ugandan had the ball in the net on 23 minutes, although Novikovas had failed to keep the ball in before standing it up to the far post.

Carl Finnegan squandered Falkirk’s first opening, lobbing wide of the advancing Kello. The striker was in again four minutes later although his finish yielded the same result.

The Bairns were fortunate to level right on half time. Mark Twaddle’s volleyed cross struck Kucharski at pace, both the Pole and Kello helpless to prevent the equaliser.

Pressley’s men should have gone ahead 11 minutes after the break. Showumni out-paced Kucharski before finding Flynn, who somehow side-footed over from close range.

Suso Santana made them pay on the hour mark, smashing home with his left after Olejnik partially cleared a Novikovas’ cross. It was 3-1 minutes later when Ian Black seized on a loose ball before sending a terrific 25 yard left foot shot in off the bar.

Pedro Moutinho then made space for himself in the box and thumped the ball in to the corner to half the defecit, though the Tynecastle side saw out a nervous last ten minutes to record a welcome win.