Hearts Move Clear In Third With Comeback Victory
Heart of Midlothian moved eight points clear in third place in the Scottish Premiership after the Macklin Motors-backed side came from two goals down to beat Dundee as league action resumed after the winter break.
With Lawrence Shankland back in the team after missing the Scottish Cup win over The Spartans at the weekend, Hearts were keen to maintain a strong run of league form but instead found themselves outplayed in the first half as Dundee looked to try and move closer to the top six.
Zach Robinson came close to opening the scoring only to be denied by a fine save from Zander Clark but seconds later he could do nothing to stop a fine curling effort from ex-Hearts man Jordan McGhee.
Kenneth Vargas then blazed off when clear on goal as Hearts chased the equaliser, and Dundee made the home side pay when Dexter Lembikisa was dispossessed by Dara Costelloe and he played in Lyall Cameron to make it 2-0 at the break.
The home fans were left far from happy going into the second half but Hearts were able to fight back and pulled one back when Calem Nieuwenhof sent in a low drive from outside the box that nestled in the corner having beaten ‘keeper Trevor Carson.
Hearts then had a chance to equalise from the spot after a foul on Shankland in the box, but the star striker was unable to convert the chance as Carson pulled off a fine save to keep Dundee in front.
Eight minutes later however things were all square once again, with fine work down the left from Alan Forest ending with a teasing cross that was nodded in by Lembikisa on his league debut.
Hearts were now on top and with just four minutes left, Yutaro Oda turned in the box and hit a shot that took a small deflection to beat Carson and send Tynecastle into raptures.