Match ends, Heart of Midlothian 1, Raith Rovers 0.
HeartsHeart of Midlothian1Raith RoversRaith Rovers0
Alim Osturk's first-half goal secured a narrow win over Raith Rovers to keep Hearts four points clear at the top of the Scottish Championship.
The defender's long-range effort rescued a point against rivals Hibernian in their last outing.
And this time the defender found the net from 30 yards after striding forward unchallenged and unleashing a fierce drive past David McGurn.
The fifth-minute goal lit up an otherwise dull affair.
But the Edinburgh side did what they needed to maintain the four-point gap with Rangers.
After opening the scoring, Ozturk then tried his luck again, this time from a 25-yard free-kick, but it fizzed narrowly over the crossbar.
The hosts dominated possession throughout the opening period but failed to create any meaningful chances.
At the other end, Paul Watson flicked a header over the bar on one of the few occasions Rovers ventured forward.
The second half continued in the same vein, with Hearts dominating possession but struggling to break down a determined Kirkcaldy side.
However, the hosts were forced to cling on in the last eight minutes with 10 men after Adam Eckersley was forced off through injury after all three substitutions had been made.
Line-ups
Hearts
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Alexander
- 30McGhee
- 22McKay
- 5Ozturk
- 44Eckersley
- 12King
- 17Buaben
- 6GomisBooked at 76mins
- 11NicholsonSubstituted forHoltat 61'minutes
- 9El HassnaouiSubstituted forKeatingsat 53'minutes
- 7WalkerSubstituted forBuchananat 78'minutes
Substitutes
- 3McHattie
- 10Holt
- 14Pallardo Gonzalez
- 15Gallacher
- 19Keatings
- 28Buchanan
- 34McKirdy
Raith Rovers
Formation 4-4-2
- 20McGurn
- 2Thomson
- 3Perry
- 4Watson
- 23McKeown
- 19McKaySubstituted forStewartat 67'minutes
- 8MoonSubstituted forConroyat 79'minutes
- 6Fox
- 7Anderson
- 10Elliot
- 11Scott
Substitutes
- 5Hill
- 9Stewart
- 12Callachan
- 14Conroy
- 16Vaughan
- 17Laidlaw
- 27Nade
- Referee:
- Crawford Allan
- Attendance:
- 16,372
Match Stats
Home TeamHeartsAway TeamRaith Rovers
- Possession
- Home59%
- Away41%
- Shots
- Home3
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away3
- Corners
- Home2
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home18
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Heart of Midlothian 1, Raith Rovers 0.
Post update
Attempt missed. Ryan Conroy (Raith Rovers) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
Post update
Grant Anderson (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Jason Holt (Heart of Midlothian).
Post update
Attempt saved. Liam Fox (Raith Rovers) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Attempt saved. Mark Stewart (Raith Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
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Paul Watson (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Robbie Buchanan (Heart of Midlothian).
Post update
Calum Elliot (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Alim Ozturk (Heart of Midlothian).
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Attempt missed. Paul Watson (Raith Rovers) with an attempt from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left.
Post update
Corner, Raith Rovers. Conceded by Jason Holt.
Substitution
Substitution, Raith Rovers. Ryan Conroy replaces Kevin Moon.
Substitution
Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Robbie Buchanan replaces Jamie Walker.
Post update
Adam Eckersley (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Jason Thomson (Raith Rovers).
Post update
Attempt saved. Calum Elliot (Raith Rovers) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Booking
Morgaro Gomis (Heart of Midlothian) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Grant Anderson (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
