3 talking points as Hearts clean sheet woes continue in feeble 1-0 defeat to Livingston

It's now two 1-0 defeats for Hearts in a matter of days as they warmed up for their Europa Conference League opener with another one.

Livingston were deserved winners at the Tony Macaroni and should have won by a bigger margin. Craig Gordon was easily the busier of the two goalkeepers with Livi's Shamal George barely troubled despite huffing and puffing from the Jambos, who have surrendered third place in the Premiership table to Aberdeen despite a late, late Ross County equaliser.

There was early chance for debutant Stephen Humphrys. Gary Mackay-Steven went down the left and floated a ball to the back post, where the on-loan Wigan man was arriving. However, the ball was slightly too high for him to volley home on the stretch and he sent it high and wide from close range. Barrie McKay then slipped a clever first-time ball to present Jorge Grant with a great chance. However, the midfielder's finished wasn't accurate enough and he sent a bending effort wide of goal.

Livi opened the scoring on 26 minutes. A somewhat soft free-kick was awarded against Toby Sibbick for a foul on Joel Nouble. The set piece was delivered to the back post where Cristian Montano stole in and fired past Gordon. The visiting players were demanding on offside flag, but replays showed that Humphrys was playing him on.

The hosts tails were up after that and Scott Pittman drove at the Hearts defence before working the ball left to Montano. He had a strike from a tight angle, but could only find the side netting.

It should have been 2-0 on 37 minutes. He burst beyond the Hearts back line before squaring for Isma Goncalves in acres of space. The former Hearts striker slid in and tried to guide the ball beyond Gordon, but somehow managed to send it