Hearts 2
Dundee Utd 0
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

United brought in Phillip, Holt and Robinson and fielded Fleming at number nine for this trip to Tynecastle Park.

After Fraser had pu tin a weak shot for Hearts, United produced a brilliant move in five minutes. Addison carved his way through the home defence before putting Robinson clear on the right. Bobby's cross to the far post forced Liddell to head desperately past his own goal. The difference in the teams' league placings was evident, with all the composed moves coming from the visitors, and Hearts moving forward with grim determination. There was nothing ragged about the home goal in 15 minutes. The move started with Fraser and Gibson, and ended with Graham Shaw rising to head home a Robertson cross at the far post. The conditions were poor with the pitch a bit of a mud bath. The best try of the half came just before the interval - a raking Robinson shot from 25 yards which Allan just managed to tip over the bar.

A deflected shot by Addison almost caught out Allan as United resumed aggressively. Then the ex-Dundee keeper dived to cut out a low Sturrock cross in great style. It was all United, with Addison hitting a vicious shot too high and being crowded out a few minutes later as he tried to line up another effort. Despite all the effort, the Tannadice team couldn't get that breakthrough they deserved. They did look to earn a penalty kick in 68 minutes when Sturrock received a push in the back. However, the long expected goal came at the 'wrong' end. In a rare home attack, Gibson crossed from the right and for the second time during the evening United's defence were beaten as Derek O'Connor rose to head past McAlpine. It was a travesty considering all that had gone before - but United learned again that you can't win if you don't score.