Dundee Utd 2 - 0 Hearts

Andy Campbell

Johnny Russell's late brace gave Dundee United victory over Hearts in the Scottish Premier League.

Marian Kello expertly tipped over David Goodwillie's excellent volley as United were denied a first-half opener.

Stephen Elliott was off target with Hearts' best chance and the match looked destined for a scoreless draw.

But Russell headed home in the 83rd minute and added a second with a tap-in to secure a third straight league win for United.

Peter Houston's men, who still have a game in hand, move up to fourth, 12 points behind Hearts, who were completely out of sorts at Tannadice.

The visitors did open up the first opportunity, with Ian Black thrashing a shot into the arms of goalkeeper Dusan Pernis.

But United began to assert themselves and Goodwillie ghosted in to the box to head Keith Watson's cross over the crossbar.

A corner for the home side pinballed around the Hearts box and goalkeeper Kello eventually plucked the ball out of the air to spare Marius Zaliukas the embarrassment of an own goal.

Hearts continued to threaten from long range, Ryan Stevenson drawing a save from Pernis and David Templeton dragging a shot wide.

But it was a spectacular effort at the other end that almost made the first dent in the scoreline, Goodwillie's superbly controlled volley from the right-hand side of the box tipped over by an equally impressive save by Kello.

Hearts went back on the attack and Templeton danced his way past several defenders and into the box.

The winger was almost tripped but stayed on his feet to get a pass away to Stephen Elliott, who hooked his shot wide from a promising position.

Ismael Bouzid, who had been booked in the first half, avoided a second yellow card after tripping Barry Douglas early in the second half and the defender was soon withdrawn to be replaced by Andrew Driver.

As the match wore on, the fog congregating around the centre circle gave off the appearance of mid-December rather than mid-March.

Another skilful run by Templeton took him past three United defenders before he was closed down in the box by Watson and, though the winger went to ground, referee Iain Brines was unmoved by shouts for a penalty by the travelling fans and Templeton himself made no great appeal for a spot-kick.

Stevenson then headed wide from Craig Thomson's cross.

With the conditions getting gradually worse, chances became far and few between.

Goodwillie tried to buck that trend when he cut in from the left and tried to beat Kello at his near post but the keeper ushered the ball out for a corner.

The United striker had avoided punishment following a first-half clash with his former team-mate Andy Webster but Goodwillie was booked after a heavy challenge on Black.

Further cautions were issued to Dundee United's Morgaro Gomis and Hearts' Lee Wallace, the latter following the foul that led to the home side's opener.

Danny Swanson, who had replaced Douglas, swept a diagonal delivery into the box and Russell leapt highest to loop a header over Kello and into the net.

And Russell was well placed in injury time to stab home after Paul Dixon's cross had been flicked on by Goodwillie.

Taken from the BBC