Hearts used their squad to good purpose in the searing heat, employing a very obvious high press and energy as instructed by head coach Derek McInnes. This was the final match of their pre-season tour, following Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with St Mirren at the same venue. Temperatures were in the mid-30s at kickoff.

A tiny group of fans from both teams [seen below] gathered outside the perimeter fence to watch the closed-door friendly, and the Scottish contingent among them would have been pleased.Crawley fielded a lineup that included former Hibs winger Harry McKirdy, but he and his teammates fell behind after four minutes. Hearts’ strong press forced Town custodian Harvey Davies to make an error, and his kick-out was intercepted by Elton Kabangu.

His first shot was blocked by Davies’ legs, but Alexandros Kyziridis recovered and fed the Belgian for a shot from an acute angle that deflected into the net.

Kyziridis clashed with McKirdy and momentarily left the pitch for treatment before going on a driving run that forced Davies to stop again.

After 15 minutes, the custodian was called upon to make another amazing low save as Elton Kabangu headed Kyziridis’ free kick towards goal. Despite the friendly billing, there was plenty of violence, with some heavy challenges resulting in yellow cards.