Edinburgh | Hearts miss out on vital first-leg lead

Hearts 2 - 2 Rapid Vienna

A late Rapid Vienna equaliser cancelled out a stunner from James Wilson and denied Hearts a comeback victory in the first leg of their Conference League play-off.

Author | Max Lee

Stadium | Tynecastle

View from behind the goal

Wilson, 19, came off the bench to unleash a sensational strike into the top corner, seemingly turning the tie in favour of last season’s Scottish Premiership runners-up. Hearts had trailed at half-time after Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao powered home a header.

But when Josh McPake, another of Hearts’ standout performers, burst into the box and found the net via a deflection off Raux-Yao, before Wilson struck, Tynecastle was rocking as the hosts appeared to have completed a stirring turnaround.

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Rapid regained their composure amid the noise and gradually built pressure. 

It eventually told when Nikolaus Wurmbrand drilled home after good work down the left from Nicolas Bajlicz.

The goal once again exposed Hearts’ defensive vulnerability early this season, while also highlighting the attacking quality that new manager Vrancken has sought to build around during a major overhaul at Tynecastle.

Hearts head to Austria for the second leg without an advantage, but remain firmly in the tie as they bid to secure a place in the Conference League.