Barry Anderson's Hearts verdict: Resilient Jambos forced their point on Queen of the South

Resilience was always going to be a key component of this campaign if Hearts are to achieve automatic promotion.

Ayo Obileye opens the scoring from the penalty spot at Palmerston Park.

Despite controlling possession in front of the Friday night BBC Scotland cameras at Palmerston Park, the visitors found themselves 1-0 down to Queen of the South entering the final minute.

They had been unable to fashion an equaliser after falling behind to Ayo Obileye’s first-half penalty. Yet they refused to give in. Subsitutes Steven Naismith, Aaron McEneff and Euan Henderson increased the tempo and the pressure finally yielded an equaliser.

The game was in truth a tale of two penalties as Liam Boyce levelled from the spot on 90 minutes. It must be said Queen of the South fought in determined fashion to preserve their slender advantage as they camped in their own half for much of the second period.

They remained content to let their guests stroke the ball around but incisive passes and finishes were too often missing in open play for Hearts. Their late rescue job did move them 13 points clear atop the Scottish Championship, however.

Queen of the South entered this fixture in good form having won four of their last six matches. Encouragement would have grown when Hearts submitted their teamsheet minus the name of striker Armand Gnanduillet, who has a hamstring problem.

The hosts were forced into their own reorganising when midfielder Dan Pybus also appeared to pull up with a hamstring injury on 17 minutes. He was replaced by Calvin McGrory.

Hearts probed at their opponents throughout the first half and frequently used wingers Gervane Kastaneer and Gary Mackay-Steven.

Kastaneer was making his first start since arriving on loan from Coventry City and clearly enjoyed running at pace against Queens’ on-loan Rangers defender James Maxwell.

Clear scoring opportunities were at a premium, though. Mackay-Steven combined with Walker after half an hour and the latter’s first-time shot forced a save from the home goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson at his near post.

Queens remained patient and resilient, waiting for a chance to spring a surprise. It came moments from the break.

McGrory’s loping forward ball found the on-loan Middlesbrough winger Isaiah Jones sprinting into the penalty area. When Hearts left-back Stephen Kingsley inadvertently caught Jones’ trailing leg, referee Colin Steven pointed to the spot.

Obileye stepped up to send the ball one way and Craig Gordon the other, seizing the advantage for his team at a crucial time in the match.

Jones came close to adding a second Queen of the South goal with an arcing shot on the counter-attack. Craig Halkett, Gordon and Andy Irving were all booked as the visitors began looking unsettled whenever Queens broke forward.

Maroon shirts continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession but carving open the Palmerston defence remained beyond them. Another on-loan Rangers defender, Rhys Breen, was doing a fine job of man-marking Boyce – until the 90th minute.

The Northern Irishman took a return ball from Naismith and was flattened by Breen. Boyce composed himself to convert the penalty and earn Hearts a draw.

Queen of the South (4-1-4-1): Ferguson; Gibson, Buchanan, Breen, Maxwell; Obileye; Jones (Joseph 90), Pybus (McGrory 17), Nortey, East; Mebude (Goss 90).

Hearts (4-2-3-1): Gordon; M Smith, Popescu, Halkett, Kingsley; Halliday (Naismith 80), Irving (Henderson 65); Kastaneer (McEneff 57), Walker, Mackay-Steven; Boyce.

A message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers. If you haven't already, please consider supporting our sports coverage with a digital sports subscription.