Hearts 0
Dundee Utd 3
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

United were keen to make amends for a recent defeat to the Tynecastle side, while Hearts facing the ever growing prospect of relegation were without long term injury pair, Derek O'Connor and Graham Shaw.

Dundee United threatened from the kick-off and Dodds had an early chance from a long Stewart throw but Black blocked. Hearts were only really getting joy from set-pieces and they had a couple of efforts which came to nothing. However, it was United who opened the scoring after just 5 minutes. Stewart made progress on the left and fed Sturrock who was motoring forward. The winger hooked in a cross and Davie Dodds headed in. United continued to press and looked likely to add to their early goal. They did, and it was Davie Dodds who doubled his tally when a Fleming pass went astray and the striker pounced to smash past Allan. Hearts tried to get a foot hold in the game but their chances were from range with Gibson and Busby having efforts, the later scraping the bar. Unite had their chances too, and Sturrock missed a sure thing, hitting a fast drive just outside the post.

The home team tried a little harder after the restart and Robertson raced onto a good cross, but Stark chipped the ball out from under his feet. In 64 minutes Billy Kirkwood notched number 3 for United. Dodds headed a Holt cross to the No.11, who made no mistake. McAlpine then kept the deficit intact when he made a good save from a Busby header. It was a fine display from United who effectively put the lid on Hearts' chances of avoiding relegation.