Heart of Midlothian B failed to make the most of their first-half advantage, losing 4-1 to East Kilbride.

A first-half goal from Mackenzie Ross was enough for the Wee Jambos to go in at the break one goal to the good. However, a strong second-half response from an East Kilbride side who recently defeated Championship side Airdrieonians was the reigning champions turn the game around and take all three points from K Park.

With Liam Fox now a permanent member of Neil Critchley's first-team coaching staff, Angus Beith continued to take the team. 

Yesterday's result leaves Hearts B 11th in the Lowland League table on 15 points with them now chasing their first win since August.

Jack Lyon impresses

It might seem silly that the goalkeeper is being highlighted after a 4-1 defeat, but Jack Lyon showed real class between the sticks for Hearts. Lyon, who only turned 16 recently, is getting into the swing of men’s football even with only a couple of B team appearances to his name. The keeper showed confidence with the ball at his feet as he looked comfortable dealing with the East Kilbride press on many occasions. His shot-stopping ability also stood out pulling out a number of top-class saves to keep his side in the game. Although it's early into his career Lyon is showing he may be a real standout performer in this B team.

Strong first-half showing

It would be easy to go to one of the best teams in the league and sit in but that is the last thing Hearts did. From the off, Hearts were pressing East Kilbride high and making it awkward for their opponents. The Wee Jambos also showed real confidence playing out from the back in all scenarios with Macaulay Tait a pivotal part, pulling the strings in the midfield. For the majority of the first half, there wasn’t much in the game with both sides failing to create a lot. That was until the 39th minute when a Lucas Smith pass down the left-hand side was met by Bobby Mcluckie who managed to get the ball to Mackenzie Ross who had an empty net to tap the ball home to. It was a great passage of play that gave the Wee Jambos the lead at.

Collapse at the end 

A 4-1 scoreline would suggest it was a whitewash from East Kilbride, but it was far from it. A strong first-half performance meant the Wee Jambos deserved their lead at the interval. It wasn’t until the hour mark when East Kilbride struck level. After that, it was mainly one-way traffic for the home side and the winner almost felt inevitable as it was just relentless East Kilbride attacks near the end of the game. That proved to be the case in the 80th minute. From that moment in, it felt like the floodgates had opened at the back as goals in the 87th and 90th minute completely killed the game. Looking back the Hearts B players will be disappointed with the scoreline considering how well they defended for the majority of the match. An added disappointment for Hearts will be the concession of another two goals conceded from corners. It is becoming a bit of a thorn in the side of the B team this season.