Dundee Utd 2 – 3 Hearts

Dolcek (22′ 40′)                                Shankland (19′ pen) Findlay (58′ 90+4′)

Stuart Findlay’s 94th-minute winner completed a 2nd half Hearts comeback at Tannadice. Lawrence Shankland put the visitors ahead from the penalty box before a brilliant Ivan Dolcek double. Stuart Findlay levelled the game in the 2nd half with a towering header and won the game in the final minute, causing pandemonium in the packed out away end.

Dundee United produced a gusty performance to draw 2-2 away against Rapid Vienna in Conference League qualifying on Thursday night. Jim Goodwin hailed his side’s character after the game, and would need more of the same as their injury list claimed another victim in Isaac Pappoe.

Hearts enjoyed a perfect start to their league campaign on Monday night, Derek McInnes’s side defeating his old side Aberdeen 2-0 in Gorgie. He encouraged his side to take advantage of United’s lack of preparation following their European away trip 3 days ago.

Hearts started the match well, Harry Milne’s teasing corner found Frankie Kent, who headed just over the bar for the first chance of the game.

Dundee United quickly responded when Sevelj unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the box. The shot forced Scottish international keeper Zander Clark to be alert and tip the ball around the post.

Claudio Braga is quickly becoming a fan favourite in Gorgie, he linked up well with Milne but the deflected cross narrowly missed Alan Forrest at the back post. Moments later, the Portuguese number 10 showed clever movement to find space in the box, but his header lacked the power to trouble goalkeeper Kucherenko.

Hearts took a deserved lead in the 19th minute. Stuart Findlay was dragged down in the box, winning a penalty. Club captain Lawrence Shankland calmly slotted home his first league goal of the season to put the Jambos ahead.

However, Dundee United equalised just three minutes later. After winning a free-kick on the edge of the box, new signing Ivan Dolcek stepped up to whip a marvellous strike past Zander Clark.

Harry Milne was involved in both Hearts’ goals against Aberdeen last Monday, he was once again a threat down the left flank. Despite the away side dominating possession for much of the half, they struggled to create clear-cut chances. The homeside, however, were growing more dangerous as the half concluded.

After a turnover in possession, Zac Sapsford found space in the box, but the Australian’s strike was blocked by Craig Halkett. The home side continued to press, and soon after, Dolcek found space in the box and dispatched powerfully under Clark to give the home side the lead.

Sapsford almost made it 3 soon after, but his shot was blocked by Clark.

The away side had the final chance of the half. Braga was set up by a Shankland knockdown but Kuckerenko got down low to save. The game was entertaining and evenly matched, but the homeside held the advantage at halftime.

Derek McInnes demanded a response from his team, making two changes at halftime. He brought off Alan Forrest for Alexandros Kyziridis, and introduced Steinwender for Kent.

The second half started much like the first, with the visitors dominating possession but struggling to create a meaningful end product. A promising moment came when Lawrence Shankland found space on the edge of the box, but his strike was deflected away from goal.

The visitors’ persistence paid off on the hour mark. Harry Milne delivered another teasing corner, which Stuart Findlay met with a towering header, delighting the away fans as the team drew level.

Dundee United had a golden opportunity to equalise moments later. A misplaced pass from Zander Clark to Camara was seized upon, with the ball being played to the young Owen Stirton. His shot lacked the necessary curl and drifted wide of the post.

Kyzridis looked lively off the bench, picking up the ball on the edge of the box, but his shot was blocked.

As the match entered its final 15 minutes, the game was finely poised. Both teams battled for control, but neither was able to create any clear-cut chances.

Vicko Sevelj tested Zander Clark in the first half with a powerful strike, he found space on the edge of the box again in the closing stages but couldn’t convert.

But it was Hearts who would dramatically win the game. A corner kick from Kyziridis found its way to Stuart Findlay, who converted his 2nd headed goal of the game and the winner for The Jambos. The 2,000 travelling fans erupted.

Dundee United welcome Rapid Vienna to Tannadice on Thursday night, the game is set up nicely after an entertaining 2-2 draw in the first leg. Hearts travel to Paisley next Saturday to face St Mirren in the League Cup, after four wins out of four in the group stage. The Jambos will hope to continue their positive form in the knockout rounds.

Dundee United: Kucherenko Iovu Esselink Keresztes Thomson Dolcek Sevelj Camara (Fotheringham 66′) Sibbald Stirton Sapsford (Fatah 66′)

Bookings: Keresztes 43′ Camara 50′

Hearts: Clark Findlay Halkett Kent (Steinwender 46′) Forrest (Kyziridis 46′) Milne (Kingsley 77′) McEntee Devlin Spittal (Kerjota 63′) Shankland Braga (Wilson 84′)

Bookings: Milne 31′ Braga 83′ Findlay 90+4′

Attendance: 10,874