Hearts 1
Dundee Utd 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

After being on the receiving end in the two earlier meetings, it is pleasant to report that this was a thoroughly deserved draw and indeed onIy a goal for the home side preserved their long standing unbeaten home run. If the first half proved disappointing, with neither 'keeper called into any serious action, the second period was full of action and opened in explosive fashion. Neil Foster smashed a volley off the outside post a minute after the restart, then in a sweeping move downfield involving Maurice Malpas and Hamish French, Hamish crossed to the far post where Kevin Gallacher's powerful header was miracuously kept out by Henry Smith.

In the 55th minute Maurice Malpas' chip over the Hearts defensive wall found Kevin Gallacher in the clear. Kevin homed in on goal and was brought down by Henry Smith. Ian Redford stepped up and though Smith got a touch he couldn't prevent lan's penalty from going in. Hearts reply was a spell of hectic pressure as they chased an equaliser. Eventually it came in the 78th minute. Substitute lan jardine's chip into the box was nodded down by Colquhoun to Gary Mackay to shoot low past Billy Thomson. Hearts' efforts to equaliser seemed to have drained them and before the end Jim McInally with a 20 yard volley and Eamonn Bannon both came close to snatching a winner.