How Hearts' first-team stars fared at Forthbank

MICHAL POSPISIL started the match slowly but became more and more acclimatised as the afternoon wore on. Had a late chance when he drove into the Falkirk penalty area but pulled his shot wide. Worth a place on the bench to ease him back into the first-team fold.

EDGARAS JANKAUSKAS doesn't look fit and at times doesn't look interested. More than once yesterday Neil McCann pushed forward to harass Falkirk defenders when Hearts were fighting to win back possession, but Janakauskas participated in very little chasing. A return to the infectious enthusiasm he showed in his early games for Hearts is desperately needed.

The knee injury to MIRSAD BESLIJA must have been soul-destroying for a player who has endured a nightmare ten months in Scotland since arriving from Racing Genk in January. The Bosnian has always shown a work rate whether in the first team or reserves, and yesterday was Hearts' best player in the first half before being stretchered off following Tam Scobbie's tackle.

NEIL McCANN was utilised in a slightly unfamiliar central midfield role, not for the first time in the reserves, but used his experience and guile to adapt. Not able to take a ball down and run at players as he likes due to a lack of space in the middle, but used the ball well and worked hard. Withdrawn early as planned.

Young winger ANDY DRIVER played once and scored once for the first team back in August but a persistent thigh injury has seen his progress since then stutter. Looked slightly short of match fitness but likely to break into first-team contention.

Taken from the Scotsman