Hearts suffered their sixth defeat in a row as Dundee United maintained their strong Scottish Premiership return to move up to third going into the international break.
Both sides missed chances at Tynecastle, breaking forward freely but looking blunt in the final third, before Ross Graham's trundling effort in the 77th minute caught out the unsighted Craig Gordon.
The victory in Edinburgh means United complete their opening four matches of the league season unbeaten, with only Celtic and Aberdeen boasting better records, while Hearts languish in 11th.
There was pressure building on Steven Naismith before the game, and the tense atmosphere seeped into Hearts’ play.
Although the crowd was initially quite content with what they were watching, they grew edgy as Hearts struggled in the final third, and United goalkeeper Jack Walton was largely untested throughout.
Hearts looked ropey defensively against Motherwell last weekend and United’s best chances came from crosses. Luca Stephenson should have opened the scoring, but glanced his header wide.
There were a few boos and jeers from the home crowd at half-time, but it only got worse in the second half.
Kristijan Trapanovski squandered a good two-on-one chance before Graham planted a header over the bar.
The big defender wouldn’t miss his next chance. Allowed to gallop forward, he received a back heel from Ferry and swung a long right leg at the ball, with his shot skittering into the bottom corner.
Even as the clock ticked down, Hearts couldn't produce the kind of pressure that would worry their visitors, who saw out the game comfortably.
Naismith must produce answers as Hearts falter
Hearts' opening 15 minutes looked a lot better than against Viktoria Plzen on Thursday. That good feeling evaporated quickly as United turned up the heat.
Four changes, with Lawrence Shankland among those coming in, brought another change of shape. There were more bodies in midfield and Jorge Grant looked decent in spells, but for all the possession there was almost no penetration. Kenneth Vargas and Yutaro Oda struggled to get behind their men.
Fourteen shots on target produced an xG of 0.65, meaning most were potshots or blocked at close range. Shankland had five goals by this stage last year. This year, none.
Hearts' zonal marking at set pieces has provided umpteen chances for the opposition in recent weeks and does not appear to be working.
There are plenty of problems Naismith has to find answers to. He has the international break to solve those conundrums, but has to visit Celtic Park to display his findings.
Defensive solidity pays off for Goodwin
Eight points in the first four games, and unbeaten at the first international break - Jim Goodwin would have bitten your hand off for that at the start of the campaign.
On paper, they started for the third week in a row with two full-backs and four centre-backs in the starting XI - although that is because Kevin Holt is being deployed in midfield.
That consistency in selection has led to a consistency of performance at the back. United look very hard to break down, if a little uneasy going forward.
Kristijan Trapanovski started to tire, while Jort van der Sande was well dealt with by Frankie Kent.
The goal came in rather fortuitous circumstances, but they didn't often look like conceding.
What they said
'I'll always fight' - Steven Naismith vows to battle on at Hearts
Hearts manager Steven Naismith: "We're vulnerable, lacking in confidence and it showed.
"We started positively, aggressive press, but didn't create many good chances. Dundee United managed the game better than we did all the way through.
"We don't understand how to manage a game like that. We could feel the tension building and play safe. It's really tough. It's something that needs to change quickly.
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "We're aware of the fact Hearts were on a difficult run and that makes the challenge more difficult because you expect a reaction.
"Thankfully today it didn't happen against us.
"Defensively the shape of the team was excellent and we had dangerous attacks throughout the 90 minutes on the counter."
