Linfield 1-4 Hearts
David Healy's Linfield warmed up for their Champions League clash with Celtic by losing 3-1 in a friendly with Hearts at Windsor Park.
Northern Ireland talisman Kyle Lafferty made his debut for the Edinburgh club, but couldn't manage to score as he worked to restore match fitness.
Lafferty’s first chance of the afternoon came in the 9th minute after a sloppy pass by Robbie Garret allowed Esmael Goncalves to intercept and run unopposed at the fractured Linfield defence.
He slipped in Lafferty down the left, but his shot from a narrow angle could only find the side netting.
Another chance came his way just two minutes later, but he scuffed his effort, and the ball only travelled as far as his own arm.
As is often the case, Linfield captain Jamie Mulgrew made the difference, firing his side ahead in the 12th minute.
He latched on to a loose, bouncing ball on the edge of the Hearts box and smashed a volley into the bottom corner, beyond a diving Jack Hamilton.
With 25 minutes played the visitors drew level after an ambitious long range effort from 16-year-old Harry Cochrane took a deflection off Stephen Lowry which diverted the ball beyond Roy Carroll.
Jamie Walker then headed Hearts into the lead 8 minutes before half time, turning home a corner from Don Cowie.
Linfield made a few changes at the break with Niall Quinn replacing Matthew Clarke, Paul Smyth taking over up front in place of Andy Waterworth, and Josh Robinson came into the back four as Mark Stafford was withdrawn.
It was his first appearance for the Blues after his controversial contract drama involving former club Crusaders.
The game began to drift away slightly after the interval as neither team made much attacking progress.
In the 65th minute, a back post cross from Smyth sent Hearts goalkeeper Hamilton scrambling, and he had to claw the ball away from the top corner to prevent what would have been a fortunate goal.
Minutes later, the visitors saw a Lafferty header loop harmlessly onto the top of Roy Carroll’s net.
But they eventually pulled further ahead in the 67th minute when Goncalves found space beyond Carroll and placed his shot into the far corner.
Maulary Martin hammered a low free kick into the area in the 84th minute, and as the ball bounced around the box, Cole Stockton slammed home the 4th goal for Hearts.