Dundee United 0-1 Hearts

Rivals Hearts – battling with their hosts for the coveted number three spot – were furious when Sandaza won the spot-kick.

But anger turned to joy when the hitman missed the chance to cancel out Michael Stewart’s opener.

Incredibly, Hearts started with NO recognised strikers and with a makeshift central defence.

And boss Csaba Laszlo praised his skeleton squad for grinding out the win.

He said: “A lot of the supporters speak a lot about the fact we have struggled in the striking department.

“But within the camp there has been a real determination to keep things going and not just fall by the wayside.

“Today wasn’t pretty on the eye but I think it personified the fighting spirit within the team.”

The patchwork back line came under some serious pressure in the opening stages.

Janos Balogh pulled off a dramatic double save in the 13th minute – blocking efforts from Sandaza and Paul Caddis.

And the Jambos survived another scare when Darren Dods’ close-range shot was blocked by Robbie Neilson.

United’s frontline continued to falter – with hitmen Warren Feeney and Sandaza even wasting chances in some half-time target practice.

Instead, Hearts took an unlikely lead on the hour mark after Andrew Driver’s dogged work in the box.

His ball fell to Stewart – with the midfielder forcing a way in from 20 yards.

Sandaza then won a controversial 80th-minute penalty when he fell over Eggert Jonsson’s leg.

Replays suggested the Hearts man took the ball with a sliding tackle – but their protests eased after Sandaza’s weak penalty was saved.

And despite some late pressure from Dods, the visitors held firm to stretch their lead to five points.