Hearts 1 - 1 Dundee Utd

A SPECTACULAR Morgaro Gomis drive five minutes from time denied Hearts victory over Dundee United in a game played at truly frenetic pace throughout. David Templeton had afforded the Edinburgh side a first-half advantage with an accurate low shot, but United's second-half pressure paid off when Gomis lashed a bouncing ball past Marian Kello from 25 yards.

Prior to that the visitors had missed a penalty when Kello denied Jon Daly after Ismael Bouzid was penalised for handball. Gary Locke, Hearts' first-team coach, was also sent from the home technical area during a frantic encounter which prove to be enthralling entertainment.

The motivation of the home side was never more evident than in the first half, in which they enjoyed almost unrivalled command. Perhaps due to Hearts' tiredness having played at a high tempo for so long, United became more of a force after the interval and would rightly argue that their equaliser was deserved following a sustained period of pressure on Kello's goal.

Hearts were forced into late pre-match team alterations as Lee Wallace and Calum Elliot joined Stephen Elliott and Marius Zaliukas on the injured list. Wallace declared himself unable to play having taken an injection in an injured ankle two hours before kick-off, while Elliot's knee was not sufficently ready for a demanding SPL fixture.

As if those casualties were not enough, Bouzid departed for treatment two minutes after kick-off following a knock to his head and United's Danny Swanson was substituted on four minutes having appeared to tweak a hamstring. It was not surprising that an untidy opening ensued given the stoppages.

Hearts looked the most aggressive and cohesive team going forward and from Kevin Kyle's downward header Ryan Stevenson ought to have broken the deadlock. As it was, he could only hook an awkward bouncing ball onto the crossbar and over. Templeton's left foot then produced a powerful effort which Dusan Pernis parried as Hearts began asserting themselves.

The hosts looked momentarily uncertain from two United corners in quick succession, but from the second they broke with electrifying pace to open the scoring. Suso beat Garry Kenneth to a loose ball in the right-back zone and sped off towards opposition territory. Seventy yards later he stroked an incisive killer pass through to Templeton for a touch and low but accurate finish via Pernis' right post.

With United looking jaded as a consequence of midweek Europa League business in Greece, Hearts retained their advatage comfortably through to the interval. The key appeared to be maintaining the high tempo set in the first period.

Only a deflection prevented Templeton scoring again from another piercing run, although moments later Hearts had Darren Barr and Adrian Mrowiec to thank for preserving their clean sheet. United burst forward with three attackers confronting one defender initially, but Barr's recovery interception and Mrowiec's clearance off David Goodwillie averted danger and even earned a goal kick.

The visitors became more forceful as the second half evolved. From one of their attacking forays referee Craig Thomson awarded a penalty for handball against Bouzid. The Frenchman and several colleagues protested that he had headed a high ball clear, but in any case Marian Kello executed a quite wonderful save to his left to deny Jon Daly from the spot.

Amidst the resultant celebrations, Gary Locke was dismissed from the Hearts technical area, presumably for protesting at the penalty award.

Passing up that opportunity might have knocked a fair portion of momentum out of United, but they continued to probe and earned their point five minutes from full-time. A hoisted cross by David Robertson was cleared but returned into the top corner of the Hearts net from 25 yards by the left foot of substitute Gomis. Kello was rendered helpless as the ball screamed past him. The goalkeeper also had to repel two Craig Conway drives during the final minutes as the visitors pressed for victory.

Hearts (4-4-2): Kello; C Thomson, Barr, Bouzid, Jonsson; Suso (Obua 77), Mrowiec, Black, Templeton (Novikovas 80); Kyle, Stevenson. Subs: Balogh, Kucharski, McGowan, J Thomson, Robinson.

Dundee Utd (4-4-2): Pernis; Watson (Gomis 67), Dillon, Kenneth, Douglas; Swanson (D Robertson 4), Buaben, S Robertson (Shala 78), Conway; Daly, Goodwillie. Subs: Banks, Dixon, Dods, Casalinuovo.

Referee: Craig Thomson.

Attendance: 12,898.