Hearts and Kilmarnock both suffered agonising late defeats last night in their European qualifiers against Viktoria Plzen and FC Copenhagen respectively.
With both Scottish teams playing away from home in the first legs, it looked like Hearts would claim a 0-0 draw against Plzen in Czech Republic in their Europa League play-off tie.
But a calamitous own goal from substitute Daniel Oyegoke saw them fall to a 1-0 defeat ahead of next Thursday’s second leg at Tynecastle.
It was a similar story of late heartbreak for Kilmarnock in Copenhagen, with Derek McInnes’ side nullifying the Danes for large periods of their Conference League play-off tie.
But Killie conceded twice in the final 15 minutes, with a contentious Kevin Diks penalty sparking the home side into life after David Watson was deemed to have fouled Mohamed Elyounoussi.
Just when it looked like McInnes’ side might return home only 1-0 down, they conceded another when Rasmus Falk fired in a second on 96 minutes for a Copenhagen side who reached the last 16 of the Champions League last season.
Stephen Kingsley, Craig Gordon and Cammy Devlin look bereft after the late goal in Plzen
Daniel Oyegoke calamitously deflects a Plzen cross into his own net in the 96th minute
Hearts defender Frankie Kent can’t believe the late sickener that leaves Hearts with work to do
But it is Hearts who will retain plenty of belief and confidence that they could yet overturn their one-goal deficit after causing Plzen plenty of problems.
Insisting the tie is still very much alive, Tynecastle boss Steven Naismith said: ‘It’s a blow when you lose a goal so late, but we knew it would be a tight tie. It’ll be tight next week.
‘Both teams had good chances, but I actually think you could argue we had the better chances over the course of the game.
‘It’s European football. You need to be brave. I didn’t think we did that at the start of the game. I thought we were a little bit safe. But we became braver and our structure was good.
‘Commitment, attitude, discipline, belief — it was all there. I thought everyone was excellent tonight. Our discipline off the ball and our shape was really good.
‘We are disappointed obviously with the late goal. At 0-0, you have a slight advantage heading into the second leg.
‘But we know what Tynie can be like on a European night. We will need that next week. We’ve got to use that home advantage. It’s a tight tie. Both teams will believe they can go through.’
Lewis Mayo, Danny Armstrong and Robbie Deas applaud the travelling fans in Copenhagen
Meanwhile, Kilmarnock boss McInnes was furious with the decision to award Copenhagen a penalty after Watson had tangled with Elyounoussi.
Italian referee Fabio Maresca didn’t blow for a foul initially, but awarded the spot-kick after being sent over to consult the monitor by the VAR.
Insisting it was harsh on his side, McInnes said: ‘For me, it’s a horrendous decision. It’s extremely harsh. I don’t think it’s a clear and obvious error. It surprised everybody when he was asked to go over.
‘Elyounoussi has got the first touch but I don’t think it impacts him having a shot. It’s a coming together and I don’t think it’s a penalty kick. It floored us a wee bit. I know how gutted I felt on the touchline.
‘We’re disappointed and it’s a real blow. For all the effort, work and organisation — to lose a goal to that is extremely harsh.’