Football: Collymore opens Fulham account

STAN COLLYMORE scored in his first outing for Fulham last night, but the Londoners lost 3-2 to Hearts after taking a two-goal lead at Tynecastle.

Collymore, on a three-month loan from Aston Villa, is eager to impress the newly promoted First Division side as Villa's manager, John Gregory, has made it clear he has no future at Villa Park.

He looked lively as he played the opening half of Fulham's tour opener and would have scored in the seventh minute had it not been for a brilliant block by the Hearts defender Paul Ritchie. Unfortunately for the Scottish international the ball ricocheted straight to Geoff Horsfield, who made no mistake.

Ritchie got the better of Collymore again on 18 minutes when the Fulham striker saw a glimpse of goal following a long ball from Sean Davis, and Collymore was off target twice more before putting himself on the scoresheet after 32 minutes. Horsfield played a delicate ball into Collymore's path and he slid the ball past home keeper Rod McKenzie.

After controlling the first half, Fulham took their foot off the pedal and two Darren Jackson headers within four minutes pulled Hearts level. Their Spanish substitute, Juanjo, then volleyed the winner.

John Hartson scored twice in Wimbledon's 4-2 convincing victory away to the Nationwide Conference side Yeovil Town. Emile Heskey missed when clean through late on as Leicester lost 2-1 at the Third Division side Torquay. Second Division Scunthorpe's new signing from West Ham, the 21- year-old midfielder Lee Hodges, outshone a fitful Paul Gascoigne as Middlesbrough drew 1-1 at Glanford Park.