Hearts 1-2 Dundee: Jim McIntyre's side move off bottom of the table
- Published
Highlights: Hearts 1-2 Dundee
Dundee moved off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership after Andrew Nelson's first goal for the club earned them a surprise win at Hearts.
Nelson, who was released by Sunderland earlier in January, finished ruthlessly just after the hour to take Dundee above St Mirren.
The striker had already been involved in the opener, playing a one-two with Genseric Kusunga, who finished sharply.
Hearts had levelled after Olly Lee's free-kick deflected into the net.
However, Craig Levein's side fell to a first defeat in four to slip to sixth place in the division.
Dundee good value for win
Jim McIntyre had his Dundee players well organised, with Martin Woods and Paul McGowan marshalling the midfield and Kusunga and Ryan Inniss looking solid at the back.
McIntyre's counterpart Levein must have been wondering what was going on with his team as they looked disjointed and could barely string two passes together in the opening period.
Czech striker David Vanecek was also given an indication of what will be required if he is to be a success at the club. The new Tynecastle number 32 was booked early on and lost the ball that led to the Dundee opener, much to the dismay of Levein who replaced him with Steven MacLean before half time.
Although the opener came from a Hearts mistake, credit must go to Dens defender Kusunga for showing terrific initiative. The Angola international played a wonderful one-two with Nelson and showed great composure with a fine finish beyond Colin Doyle.
But, within 15 minutes, Lady Luck shone on Hearts as Lee's free-kick found the net via the unfortunate Jesse Curran.
Hearts defender Jon Souttar had been missing since October but Levein introduced him just before the hour, with Callumn Morrison making way in a tactical switch. However, the Scotland defender must have been wishing he was back on the bench when Dundee regained the lead after 62 minutes.
Conor Shaughnessy looked to have a long ball well under control but slipped on the greasy surface, allowing Craig Curran space and time to pick out Nelson, who slid the ball into the corner with Doyle helpless in the home goal.
Aidan Keena volleyed wide and substitute Jake Mulraney shot straight at Semy Dieng as Hearts toiled.
Hearts equalised, but 'didn't play anywhere near well enough' according to manager Craig Levein
Hearts miss Naismith - analysis
With a record of just two wins in their previous 22 matches, few would have given Dundee hope of leaving the capital with anything other than pride. However, the 247 fans who made the trip from Tayside can have much more than hope that their team can retain their Premiership status.
Kusunga and Ryan Inniss looked as if they would be a match for many top-flight strikers and the work-rate of Paul McGowan in midfield was immense with both Craig Curran and Nelson leading the line brilliantly.
And the result is evidence again of how important Steven Naismith is to Hearts, the striker missing out through suspension after being on the winning side in 15 of his 20 club appearances this season.
'Dundee stood up to Hearts' - reaction
Hearts manager Craig Levein: "We didn't play anywhere near well enough, particularly in the first half. I ended up taking David Vanecek off because I felt he just looked as if he wasn't at the races.
"Conor Shaughnessy slips and gifts them a goal so that just pretty much sums up the day. We didn't show enough composure in the last third of the field. We had a enough opportunities to win the game."
Dundee manager Jim McIntyre: "I thought we deserved it. I thought we played ever so well. We scored a couple of great goals.
"The players deserve a lot of credit because it's been a hard season and it's still going to be a hard season. To a man, they stood up to Hearts."