Date	Saturday, 30 September 2023
Competition	Scottish Premiership
Fixture/Score	Ross County 0:1 Heart of Midlothian
Venue	Global Energy Stadium at Victoria Park
Attendance	4,773
Referee	David Dickinson
Comments	Match Report Report by Sean McGill for the BBC. Ross County 0 Heart of Midlothian 1 Alan Forrest's first goal of the season won Hearts three Scottish Premiership points as Steven Naismith's changes helped his side past a feeble Ross County. A drab affair in Dingwall looked to be destined for deadlock before visiting substitutes combined when Alex Lowry's deep cross was headed home by Forrest. After sealing a place in the semi-finals of the Viaplay Cup in midweek, the victory eases pressure on head coach Naismith after fan protests at recent games. County, who barely threatened, drop to 11th, while Hearts jump to fourth in the division. Although Hearts dominated possession from the off, both sides were devoid of quality in the final third. The game looked to be one instantly wiped from the minds of all those who had watched on, until Naismith turned to his bench in search of a spark. Forrest's impact was nearly instant as both he and Kenneth Vargas' simultaneous slides failed to turn home a drilled Stephen Kingsley ball across the face of goal. But Lowry's curled ball towards the back post floated onto the head of the stealthy Forrest, flicking the ball beyond Ross Laidlaw to awaken the travelling support. The most troubling of County's resigned huffing and puffing came when Eamonn Brophy volleyed over to ensure the points would be heading to the capital. It hasn't been as easy time of it for Naismith since he took up the reins permanently at Tynecastle this season. Whether you count the pre-European exit era with Frankie McAvoy as the face or not, almost all of those in positions of power have felt the wrath of discontent from Hearts fans. After they showed their spirit with a last gasp win on Wednesday to seal a Hampden trip, Naismith's personnel changes were the difference when his side may previously have trundled to another deflating draw. Meanwhile, all the promise that poured from County's start to the season seems to be seeping away at an alarming rate. Winless in four in all competitions, the hosts mustered just one shot on target all afternoon and registered a xG of just 0.33. Malky Mackay's task is now to change the mood in the Highlands after three painful defeats in six days. Hearts head coach Steven Naismith: "Good win. I thought for a lot of the game we were comfortable without that urgency in attack. Defensively, we were very sound. "We did a professional job and it's one that gives us confidence. The guys who are on the bench, I consistently say to them that everyone will have a chance to make an impact on the team. I think we've shown that this week." Ross County manager Malky Mackay: "I'm disappointed. It was a good game and tactically good game from both. I thought we were worthy of draw. We've got to take our chances and keep the ball out the net. "We've started well this season but it's been a tough week with results. We just need to dust ourselves done. We need to work hard, that's the order of business."
Ross County
Manager	Malcolm (Malky) Mackay
Starting 11	1: Ross Laidlaw, 2: Connor Randall 1, 3: Ben Purrington, 4: James Brown, 5: Jack Baldwin, 7: Kyle Turner 1, 10: Yan Dhanda, 25: Alexander Samuel, 26: Jordan White, 35: Will Nightingale, 42: Ryan Leak
Bench	21: Ross Munro, 6: Scott Allardice 1, 14: Victor Loturi, 15: Simon Murray, 16: George Harmon, 17: Jay Henderson, 18: Scott High, 27: Eamonn Brophy, 30: Dylan Smith
Heart of Midlothian
Manager	Steven Naismith
Starting 11	Zander Clark, Frankie Kent, Stephen Kingsley, Kye Rowles, Toby Sibbick, Jorge Grant, Calem Nieuwenhof, Aidan Denholm, Odeluga Offiah 1, Kenneth Vargas, Lawrence Shankland
Bench	Peter Haring, Beni Baningime, Liam Boyce, Michael McGovern, Andrew Halliday 1, Alan Forrest 1, Macauley Tait, Mackenzie Kirk, Alexander Lowry