HEARTS’ dream of Conference League qualification went up in flames after being held by Petrocub.
Neil Critchley wanted to make it a night to remember for the Jambos – and they will for all the WRONG reasons.
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Cameron Devlin reacts to FC PetrocubCredit: Getty
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Blair Spittal’s header looked to have taken the Jambos throughCredit: Kenny Ramsay
A goal down after a shocker of a first half against the Moldovan minnows, Hearts got themselves into a position to go through thanks to James Wilson and sub Blair Spittal hitting back.
But a catastrophe of a penalty seven minutes from time for a Kye Rowles handball saw them crash out of Europe on goals scored, finishing ONE place out of the qualifying zone.
This was Hearts‘ whole season wrapped up in ninety minutes, getting into good positions but blowing it time and again with the final ball then conceding cheaply.
And their supporters let them know it at the end with loud booing and chants against the board.
Critchley made four changes to his line-up from the team which lost to ten-man Kilmarnock last weekend.
Skipper Shankland came back in for Kenneth Vargas following his ban, so with Musa Drammeh not registered to play in the competition, was partnered by Wilson up top.
Spittal and Malachi Boateng dropped out, allowing starts for teenager Macaulay Tate and Yan Dhanda.
With so much at stake their gaffer decided to go for it, with four players up top when they had possession against a side who, despite their lowly position, had only conceded 11 times in their five games.
And his team started with the dominance he had hoped to see, bossing the Moldovans from the first whistle.
It was all neat enough stuff, with Wilson getting an early sight of goal but couldn’t connect.
Shankland then teased a save out of keeper Silviu Smalenea with a shot from the edge of the box, before he was forced to tip the corner over with Craig Halkett lurking.
He had to do the same again seconds later, with a wicked Dhanda dead ball flying dangerously close to sneaking under his bar.
It really was one-way traffic against a side who seemed content to soak up as much pressure as they could.
They did get up the park on the quarter-hour though, with Sergiu Platica screaming for a penalty amid a challenge from Halkett but Berka wasn’t persuaded.
Hearts thought they’d taken the lead after 20 minutes when another superb Dhanda corner found Kye Rowles six yards out but the Aussie sent his header wide.
And then within less than a minute things really went to pot for the wasteful Jambos as Petrocub grabbed a shock lead.
They’d been more adventurous in the few minutes before and showed devastating efficiency with the opener.
Hearts were put on the back foot with three forward passes before Vladimir Ambros got it 25 yards out, allowing him to whip a great cross into that horrible corridor between Craig Gordon and Halkett, leaving Platica a tap-in.
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Victor Mudrac’ penalty for 2-2 was a killerCredit: Kenny Ramsay
There was a suspicion of offside, but after a check the goal was given – and that sparked fury among the home fans, who started booing and jeering their team at every mistake or backwards pass.
And that even morphed into brief chants of ‘sack the board’.
Play was stopped for a collision of heads between the keeper and Rowles, allowing Hearts to hold an inquest, which even included Gordon running over for a chat with Critchley on the touchline.
That summed up how fraught things had become since conceding – but the wastefulness continued with Wilson skying a shot from eight yards.
Then more boos came from the home fans when another Petrocub cross from the left caught them cold, this time allowing Dumitru Demian a header which, luckily for Hearts, he sent wide.
Shankland then had the ball in the net after poking home from a Dhanda cross, but it was instantly ruled out for him making contact with the keeper.
And the Jambos should have gone two behind right on half-time when a deflected cross sailed perfectly for the unmarked Platica six yards out but he let them off the hook by missing the target.
Critchley swapped Spittal for Forrest at the break in a bid to inject some quality into his side’s forward play.
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Victor Mudrac of FC Petrocub celebratesCredit: Getty
And he nearly provided it with a great ball in behind for Penrice but Dhanda wasn’t able to get enough of a connection on his cross.
Hearts finally got the goal they’d been pushing for on 64 minutes, as their night came back to life.
It was Wilson who delivered, showing great finishing ability to stroke home from 12 yards after Shankland roughed up the Petrocub centre halves enough to create space.
Rowles then should have put them ahead with a free header inside the area but once again he missed the target.
Critchley sensed the Moldovans were flagging so threw on Jorge Grant and Boateng for Tait and Halkett.
And within less than a minute of those changes, Hearts went in front with Boateng feeding Dhanda for him to cross, and when Petrocub fluffed their clearance Spittal was on hand to steer a header into the left-hand corner.
Just as Hearts looked like they’d see this out to victory, they conceded a disastrous penalty kick.
Rowles was on the line as Platica took a shot from ten yards and raised his arm, letting the ball crack off him.
As soon as VAR flagged it up there was only one outcome, and Victor Mudrac slammed it home to level and break Hearts once again.
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