Hearts stay in the race

8 Jan 1990

Dundee 0, Hearts 1

IT must have seemed like tempting providence to Alex MacDonald on Saturday when he was caught up in premier-division title talk at the venue where his Tynecastle men saw their championship hopes so cruelly dashed four years earlier.

Normally, the ever-cautions Hearts manager is reticent to overstate his opinions on any honours claim, a characteristic doubtless born on that fateful afternoon at Dens Park in 1986.

However, as his injury-hit squad edged their way into a challenging position behind leaders Rangers and second-placed Aberdeen with Saturday's two points, MacDonald lowered his guard ever so marginally.

He conceded: "I am forever keen to shy clear of building up false hopes, but, yes, we are up there challenging now.

"I have the feeling that once we get our quality players back off the sidelines, then you will see the best of Hearts this season."

The capital men were minus the likes of full back regulars Alan McLaren and Tosh McKinlay, midfield dynamos David McCreery and Neil Berry, and front runner Wayne Foster on Saturday without in any way affecting the positive approach adopted.

Even the loss of top marksman Scott Crabbe with an ankle injury before half-time failed to weaken the determination factor, Ian Ferguson's contribution as replacement underlining yet again his value to the squad.

But despite their overall advantage territorally, Hearts still failed to seriously threaten the home charge .

.

.

until fate took a hand in the sixty-fourth minute.

Mark Craib's tragic own goal not only served to separate the sides at the close of play, but also brought about a dark blue state of mind to match the home colours.

The spectre of relegation for the Dens Park side cannot be ignored.

Still, if there was any consolation for the home fans it came in the debut of teenager Shaun McSkimming, who looked to be anything but out of place in his midfield role.

DUNDEE -- Carson, Dinnie, Shannon, Chisholm, Forsyth, Craib, D Campbell, Holt, Wright, Dodds, McSkimming.

Substitutes -- Beedie, S Campbell.

HEARTS -- Smith, Kidd, Whittaker, Levein, Sandison, McPherson, Colquhoun, Mackay, Crabbe, Robertson, Bannon.

Substitutes -- Fergson, Kirkwood.

Referee -- D A Yeats (Perth).