Fleetwood Town fell to a 2-0 defeat in their behind closed doors friendly against Hearts at Poolfoot Farm on Wednesday afternoon.
It was a late brace from Jorge Grant secured the win for the Scottish side after what was a well-contested fixture where Town’s players got valuable minutes into their legs.
Throughout the fixture, chances were at a premium, even though it didn’t look like that at the start as one apiece came in the first five minutes.
Fleetwood’s one was first when Scott Robertson played Jack Marriott in on the edge of the box, which needed to be saved by Harry Stone before Cameron Devlin had an effort for the visitors, which went wide of the mark.
Phoenix Patterson looked sharp in the first half and almost made a brilliant chance from the left as he played the ball between James Wilson’s legs and tried to play Promise Omochere, but the cross was intercepted.
Just before the break, Town’s young winger, Patterson, stood over a free-kick and managed to find Josh Earl at the back post, with the defender rising highest but nodding just wide of the target.
Scott Brown would have thought his side had earned the lead with 20 minutes to go as a link-up between Brendan Wiredu and Junior Quitirna almost led to the opener, with the latter heading past the keeper, but in an offside position.
Unfortunately, it was late heartbreak for the Cods as a quickfire brace from Grant saw the Jambos take the win on the Fylde Coast. His first was a tap-in from close range, and his follow-up was a long-range effort from 25 yards.
Town will now set their sights on their next pre-season fixture, which is against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday 15 July at Prenton Park.
Town XI: Lynch (GK), Earl, Nsiala, Wiredu, Broom (Trialist 70’), Mayor, Robertson, Vela, Patterson, Marriott, Omochere (Quitirna 46’).
Unused subs: McMullan (GK), Teale, White.