Dundee Utd 0
Hearts 1
League (SPL)

Match Report

United paid the price for being slower out of the traps after half time as their recent run of home wins ended despite an otherwise good performance. It was a Paul Hartley penalty which was the only difference in a tight, physical game in which United came closest to equalising when Robson crashed a free kick off the crossbar midway though the second half.

United were first to threaten after three minutes, as a long range effort from David Robertson made for an uncomfortable save by stand-in Hearts keeper Banks, who palmed the ball out before his defence cleared. Hearts then went straight on the attack and striker Andrius Velicka tumbled dramatically under the challenge of Derek Stillie. Quite rightly no penalty was awarded, however Velicka could not have had any complaint had he been issued a yellow card for the incident. Lee Mair was next to threaten for United after Samuel had burst down the right and sent in a cross, but the defender’s looping header across goal was cleared away to safety. After twenty-six minutes Mair ended up in the book for a late challenge on Velicka and from the free kick taken by Hartley, the striker headed towards goal bringing out an outstanding save from Stillie diving low to stop the ball crossing the line. Velicka was alert to the rebound however all he could do was direct the ball out for a goal kick. Immediately after, United came within a whisker of taking the lead as Collin Samuel sent in a low left foot cross from the left. Conway was there to meet the ball at the back post but with the goal gaping the winger fired over the bar. The game then took on a more physical nature for the remainder of the half, with several yellow cards being handed out as players’ tempers started to boil.

Within moments of the restart United were almost a goal down as a clever dummy by Pospisil in the area allowed Velicka to burst through on goal. Thankfully for United Stillie rushed out to meet the striker and make a stunning block to prevent a certain goal. The rebound fell back to Pospisil but the hosts were again let off the hook as he blasted well over with Stillie still out of position. In fifty-four minutes United suffered a real setback as Hearts were awarded a penalty after Stuart Duff was adjudged to have handled a Takis Fyssas header from a corner. Paul Hartley stepped up to take the kick and placed the ball firmly into the right corner with Stillie at full stretch. United were struggling to make chances but were presented with a free kick in a good area after Smith was fouled in seventy eight minutes. Robson almost took full advantage but his dipping left foot strike crashed off the bar with Banks beaten. Before the ball was completely cleared Aguiar was booked for a trip on Robson in a similar area to the previous infringement. This time Robson curled the kick low towards the left corner and only a full stretch block from Banks prevented a goal. United were looking livelier now and again came close after Samuel had been tripped at the left edge of the box, giving Conway a chance to swing the ball in from the right. Robson was there to head towards goal and was only denied by a goal line block from Hearts captain Christophe Berra, before the ball was again cleared to safety. United tried all they could to win a point in the latter stages but could not break down a dogged Hearts side that held on for a slender win.