Hearts slipped to defeat at Tynecastle Park this afternoon, going down 1-0 to Dundee United.
After a first half where Hearts fashioned a number of chances, it was Ross Graham’s strike in the second 45 that secured the points for the Terrors.
Kenneth Vargas sent a good chance the way of Jack Walton after just 11 minutes as he let off a rasping effort from Jorge Grant’s delivery, but the ‘keeper did well to beat it away.
Yutaro Oda and James Penrice saw further chances go astray, Oda’s going wide from 25-yards before a delightful dummied turn and shot from Penrice went a whisker wide of goal.
Hearts’ continued run of luck in front of goal continued into the second half as Grant and Oda both saw narrow chances saved by Jack Walton early into the next period.
Ross Graham saw a header go over the crossbar before Barrie McKay saw his curling effort ripple over the crossbar.
It was Graham who has the decisive impact as he got onto the end of the ball to fire past Gordon and hand the Terrors the lead.
United almost had their second ten minutes from time when Sibbald’s effort was turned over the bar at the last gasp by Malachi Boateng.
A challenging day at the office for the men in maroon, who now look to regroup during the international break.
Hearts: Gordon, Kent, Kingsley, Halkett, Grant (Devlin 69’), Shankland, Oda (Forrest 80’), Spittal (McKay 57’), Boateng, Penrice (Oyegoke 69’), Vargas (Dhanda 57’)
Subs: Clark, Oyegoke, McKay, Devlin, Rowles, Forrest, Dhanda, Pollock, Salazar
Dundee United: Walton, Holt (Sevelji , Graham, Trapanovski (Moult 65’), Babunski (Docherty 65’), Ferry, Sibbald, Adegboyega. Stephenson, van der Sande (Dalby 65’), Gallagher
Subs: Richards, Sevelji, Moult, Odada, Middleton, Dalby, Docherty, Thomson, Ubochioma
