Hearts 1
Dundee Utd 0
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

At the time this was very much a European four pointer, but unfortunately, it followed the all too familiar pattern of our past visits to the Gorgie area of the Capital as Hearts extended their unbeaten record against us to eight years - easily our worst at any of the Premier grounds. Yet, on the balance of play, as in most of our meetings with the Jam Tarts, a draw was the least we deserved. After we had made most of the attacking noises, Hearts went ahead immediately following one of the few direct shots Alan Main had to deal with. The United keeper tipped over a Snodin free-kick, but when the corner came over, Snodin's kick escaped through Alan Main's hands and although Robertson failed to apply the killer touch, Ian Baird, lurking at the far post, didn't and squeezed the ball home. Paddy Connolly was only denied by the legs of Walker just before half-time and the catalogue of Tangerine misses continued into the second half.

Christian Dailly had only been on the field for a couple of minutes when he out paced the home defence to run on to Duncan Ferguson's through ball, but scooped his final shot over Walker and fractionally wide of the far post! Twice before the end Paddy Connolly had opportunities to ensure we didn't leave empty-handed, but though beaten, we were certainly not down-hearted at the team's showing. The story of the match can be summed up with home keeper Nicky Walker being named Man of the Match. However, defeat meant Hearts led us by two points with the bonus of a game in hand,but as it proved, Europe was not to be a lost cause.