Alloa Athletic vs Hearts. Scottish Championship.
Indodrill StadiumAttendance3,067.
Saturday 11 October 2014 18:35, UK
Hearts extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Championship after an 87th-minute goal from Adam Eckersley clinched a 1-0 victory at Alloa Athletic.
The left-back whipped in a late free-kick at Recreation Park, which appeared to take a deflection before going into the bottom corner of the goal.
The victory takes Hearts nine points clear of second-placed Rangers, who have a game in hand.
For most of the match, the unbeaten visitors struggled to break down the Wasps’ well-organised defence but the home side often threatened on the counter-attack.
In the first half, the visitors had an 11th-minute penalty shout turned down by referee Calum Murray after striker Dale Carrick went down in the box.
There was also a flowing move as Osman Sow flicked a through-ball from winger Billy King into Carrick’s path, but his shot went inches wide shortly before the half hour.
Alloa, however, were always in the game, with numerous attempts on goal.
In the first half, home striker Kevin Cawley attempted to round Neil Alexander to tap in, but the Hearts keeper was up to the task to deny Cawley.
It was Hearts' ninth win in 10 games but the result leaves Alloa second from bottom with just two wins and a draw from nine league matches.
