Hearts 1 Dundee Utd 2

Alex Mathie secured an unlikely success for Dundee United with a dramatic late double to sink Hearts.

The hit-man, who has spent the majority of the campaign farmed out on loan, made it three goals in four days to stop Hearts gaining a victory they merited.

Jim Jefferies' side dominated proceedings for huge chunks of the contest, but had only a spectacular strike from Gary Wales, his sixth of the season, to show for their efforts.

And they were made to pay in the final 17 minutes when Mathie grabbed two priceless goals.

He coolly slotted an equaliser after 73 minutes and completed the job when racing onto a through-ball from substitute Jim Hamilton and bravely nodding the bouncing ball past advancing keeper Antti Niemi.

Hearts, who were looking to cement their position in third spot in the table, seemed certain winners after dominating the first 70 minutes of the contest.

They opened in the sharp fashion and Slovak ace Robert Tomaschek had the first effort at goal, but his fiercely struck 20-yard drive lacked direction and flew over the bar.

The early dominance was almost rewarded after just 10 minutes when a clever one-two between Darren Jackson and Gary McSwegan carved open the already ragged United defence.

Former Celtic star Jackson rifled the ball goalwards from an acute angle, but United keeper Alan Combe reacted instinctively to turn the ball around the post.

Yugoslav defender Gordan Petric is more noted for work in his own territory, but he created mayhem at the other end on two separate occasions within 90 first-half seconds to almost break the deadlock.

United defender Jason de Vos made a saving intervention on his six-yard line to stop a McSwegan drive hitting the net after Petric's challenge on Combe forced the keeper to misjudge his punch clear.

And Petric caused more worry for Combe when he outjumped the United keeper to meet a free-kick from Lee Makel but the effort drifted wide.

Combe had been at fault for booth chances, but he made amends after 25 minutes with a sensational save to deny McSwegan.

Wing-back Gary Naysmith engineered the opening with a surging 60-yard run and his measured cut-back was perfect for the Scotland striker.

McSwegan lashed the ball towards the top corner, but Combe magnificently touched the ball over the bar to the disbelief of the striker.

Hearts were in total command. However, United were defending doggedly and the trend continued throughout the remainder of the first half and into the second period as the home side were frustrated in their attempts to break down the visitors' defence.

Hearts were on the offensive from the moment referee Bobby Orr signalled the start of the second period and Petric and Jackson found the busy Combe equal to long-range drives.

The Yugoslav defender header another Makel free-kick just over as the tension mounted and it was clear that Hearts were going to need a moment of magic to get in front.

And, just when it seemed it would never come, talented youngster Wales stepped forward to finally break the deadlock after 63 minutes.

He collected a Petric pass in the inside left channel and came inside right-back Bernard Pascual before curling a beautiful right-foot effort into the opposite top corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Hearts' fans celebrated in style and settled back expecting the goals to flow.

However, United had other ideas and Mathie added a cutting edge to their bravery with his dramatic late double salvo.
Teams:

Hearts: Niemi, Flogel, Pressley, Petric, Naysmith, Tomaschek, Cameron (Fulton 79), Jackson, Makel, McSwegan (Kirk 79), Wales.

Subs Not Used: Rousset, Simpson, Severin.

Booked: Petric.

Goals: Wales 63.

Dundee Utd: Combe, Pascual, Partridge, Patterson, S. McCulloch (Easton 53), De Vos, Hannah, Malpas, Venetis (Davidson 53), McConalogue (Hamilton 74), Mathie.

Subs Not Used: Gallacher, McQuillan.

Booked: Hannah.

Goals: Mathie 73, 87.

Att: 12,604

Ref: Bobby Orr (Scotland)


Taken from sportinglife.com