Ross County 1 Hearts 2

Hearts continued their winning start to the Premiership season thanks to a couple of early goals against Ross County at Global Energy Stadium. Osman Sow gave Hearts the lead in the 10th minute with a low drive from just outside the 18-yard box and Alim Ozturk doubled the advantage four minutes later with a close-range finish. County got a foothold in the match seven minutes from the break when Liam Boyce scored from the penalty spot after Jackson Irvine was fouled in the box, but they could not add to their tally and ultimately fell to a 2-1 defeat. County made a bright start to the game and they threatened in the fourth minute when Craig Curran broke free on the left. His cut-back was met by Michael Gardyne, who controlled the ball but his shot was blocked by Hearts goalkeeper Neil Alexander. Boyce was next up with a drive from outside the area which was well saved by Alexander. County were on top but two clinical finishes from the visitors changed all that. Hearts' first goal arrived in the 10th minute when Sow drove in from the right flank and let fly with a powerful left-footed drive which nestled in the far corner of the net. Juanma was then almost in on goal in the 13th minute but Chris Robertson stepped in to clear the danger. But Hearts doubled their lead a minute later when a Jamie Walker corner fell for Callum Paterson, whose snap shot was helped over the line by Ozturk from a yard out. County were far from out of it and Curran blasted a Boyce assist over from the edge of the 18-yard box before Gardyne ran at the Hearts defence but his shot was saved by Alexander. However, the home side got back in the game in the 38th minute when they were awarded a penalty. Irvine was fouled at the far post by Rossi following a Raffaele De Vita free-kick and referee Bobby Madden pointed to the spot. The Hearts defender was booked before Boyce sent Alexander the wrong way from the penalty spot. County had the first effort on goal in the second half when a Gardyne cross from the right was chested down by Curran but Ian McShane blasted over from just outside the area. At the other end Paterson got on the end of a Sam Nicolson free-kick but he failed to get enough purchase on his header and the ball flew wide of target. Hearts substitute Gavin Reilly should have stretched the lead in the 71st minute when a Walker cross landed at his feet but he ballooned his shot high and wide. County came close when Boyce met a Michael Fraser cross with an overhead kick but his effort ended up wide of the far post. The home side pressed for an equaliser in the dying minutes and after a Boyce ball across the face of goal was turned behind by Juwon Oshaniwa, Jamie Reckord's punt into the box was just missed at the far post by the in-rushing Gardyne. County continued to push for an equaliser but time ran out for the Dingwall men as Hearts made it four league wins out of four.