A FINE individual performance from Allan Johnston helped Hearts take a point at Tannadice which consolidated the Jambos' mid-table position but did little to ease Dundee United's worries as they remained in the relegation zone.
Johnston's first goal for Hearts in eight months extended his side's unbeaten run and might have secured all three points but for a goal from United's Sergio which was the result of slack defending at a set-piece.
Hearts manager Tommy McLean woul
d be reasonably pleased with his side's performance in the light of the severe injury list which meant that the Tynecastle club were eight players short of their strongest side.
Hearts started the fixture without the services of John Robertson, Dave McPherson, Kevin Thomas, Colin Miller and Brian Hamilton. And although Craig Levein returned to captain the side from central defence, there was a makeshift look about other areas of the team with Gary Mackay slotting in at left-back.
United had much of the possession during the first half but were unable to find the cutting edge needed in attack even though caretaker manager Gordon Wallace had opted for a 4-3-3 formation in which Craig Brewster and Christian Dailly were supported by the Brazilian striker, Sergio. Encouraged by yet another shrewd performance from Jim Bett, Hearts defended comfortably and looked the more likely team to score on the counter attack.
That they did before half an hour played when Mackay's long ball caused confusion between Gordan Petric and Maurice Malpas in the United defence with the latter eventually settling for a header back towards his goalkeeper only to misjudge the pace of the ball. Johnston nipped in and from 12 yards hooked a delightful effort over the head of Kelham O'Hanlon into the top left-hand corner of the net. United attempted to move up a gear at the start of the second half but continued to find scoring opportunities hard to come by.
Hearts' defensive combination of Levein, Neil Berry and Willie Jamieson was solid and gave United's forwards few opportunities to shine. United didn't look like equalising until an error by Nelson in the 67th minute helped to put the Tangerines back on level terms. Billy McKinlay's corner was well struck and although Nelson came out to clear, he could only get a faint touch on the ball. Brewster then nodded the ball back into the six-yard box and Sergio clipped the ball into the net from point-blank range.
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Johnston's first goal for Hearts in eight months extended his side's unbeaten run and might have secured all three points but for a goal from United's Sergio which was the result of slack defending at a set-piece.
Hearts manager Tommy McLean woul
d be reasonably pleased with his side's performance in the light of the severe injury list which meant that the Tynecastle club were eight players short of their strongest side.
Hearts started the fixture without the services of John Robertson, Dave McPherson, Kevin Thomas, Colin Miller and Brian Hamilton. And although Craig Levein returned to captain the side from central defence, there was a makeshift look about other areas of the team with Gary Mackay slotting in at left-back.
United had much of the possession during the first half but were unable to find the cutting edge needed in attack even though caretaker manager Gordon Wallace had opted for a 4-3-3 formation in which Craig Brewster and Christian Dailly were supported by the Brazilian striker, Sergio. Encouraged by yet another shrewd performance from Jim Bett, Hearts defended comfortably and looked the more likely team to score on the counter attack.
That they did before half an hour played when Mackay's long ball caused confusion between Gordan Petric and Maurice Malpas in the United defence with the latter eventually settling for a header back towards his goalkeeper only to misjudge the pace of the ball. Johnston nipped in and from 12 yards hooked a delightful effort over the head of Kelham O'Hanlon into the top left-hand corner of the net. United attempted to move up a gear at the start of the second half but continued to find scoring opportunities hard to come by.
Hearts' defensive combination of Levein, Neil Berry and Willie Jamieson was solid and gave United's forwards few opportunities to shine. United didn't look like equalising until an error by Nelson in the 67th minute helped to put the Tangerines back on level terms. Billy McKinlay's corner was well struck and although Nelson came out to clear, he could only get a faint touch on the ball. Brewster then nodded the ball back into the six-yard box and Sergio clipped the ball into the net from point-blank range.
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