Makela grabs hat-trick to show Hearts the way to finish

Makela struck towards the end of an unconvincing first half but a second straight after the interval put the game beyond the Scottish League second division club at Recreation Park.

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The striker completed his treble eight minutes from time after Alloa had been reduced to ten men and Bruno Aguiar rounded off the victory with two minutes to go.

Hearts might have switched a full team but the strength of the squad was evident as they put out an experienced side that included Takis Fyssas, Christos Karipidis and Robbie Neilson. Kestutis Ivaskevicius made his debut.

The game was held up for 15 minutes after terrible traffic problems and Hearts took their own time to get going.

Makela got their first sight of goal after eight minutes but his 20-yard shot flew a foot wide.The Finn saw a back-heel easily saved moments later but the chances did not signify Hearts were getting to grips with the game.

Alloa had a good chance soon after when Robert Sloan rolled a free kick to the unmarked David McClune on the edge of the area but he hit his shot well over.

Hearts struggled to find any rhythm and Alloa worked the next chance midway through the half, but Graham Brown headed Sloan’s free kick a yard wide. Sloan, a former Hearts player, then saw a 25-yard drive saved by Steve Banks.

But the visitors took the lead in the 34th minute when the unmarked Makela headed home a Fyssas cross. Two minutes later, the Greek defender almost scored himself after Neil McCann broke forward and played him in but Fyssas shot over under pressure.

Hearts suffered a blow when Karipidis limped off after a lunging tackle from Brian McColligan. Thirty seconds after the restart Makela slotted home after a brilliant McCann through ball. The goalscorer set up Roman Bednar five minutes later and he squared to McCann but Steven McKeown cleared off the line.

Townsley was sent off for a second yellow card in the 79th minute after a foul on Andrius Velicka. Then Makela killed the game after a clever Velicka flick. His first effort was well saved but the Finn rolled home the rebound. Aguiar rounded off the win with a 25-yard chip in the 88th minute.

ALLOA ATHLETIC: Creer, Townsley, McColligan, Forest, Ovenstone, McKeown, Grant, McClune, Sloan, Hamilton, Brown. Substitutes: Hutton, Bolochoweckjy, Comrie, Hazeldine, McAulay.

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN: Banks, Neilson, Fyssas, Karipidis, Berra, Beslija, Aguiar, Ivaskevicius, McCann, Makela, Bednar. Substitutes: MacDonald, Velicka, Thorarinsson, Lithgow, Jonsson.

Taken from timesonline.co.uk