Arabs 2 - Jambos 1

By Sean Saranczuk
December 1 2003

Goals from Alan Archibald and Derek McInnes were enough to give Dundee United their first home league win of the season - a 2-1 triumph over Hearts.

The long-suffering Tannadice fans were given something to cheer early on as United took the lead in the 12th minute through defender Archibald, who sent a curling shot through a ruck of players into the far corner.

Terrors defender David McCracken made a superb goalline clearance to prevent Andy Kirk from levelling the scores minutes later.

But Kirk nearly gave Hearts a deserved equaliser with a powerful header, but keeper Andy Gallacher produced a wonderful one-handed reflex save to send the ball over the bar.

Hearts looked like gaining momentum at this stage, but United raised their game and eventually took a two-goal before the interval.

Jim Paterson, whose good work on the left led to the opening goal, once again broke down the flank and sent a dangerous ball into the area.

It zipped through the six-yard box towards the back post and ended up at the feet of McInnes, who simply steadied himself and sent a low shot past Craig Gordon.

Hearts pulled a goal back within a minute of the restart as Scotland international Scott Severin volleyed in McCracken's headed clearance from the edge of the area.

In the closing stages, Canadian defender Kevin McKenna, who was taken by surprise that the ball reached him after being kicked back and forth in the penalty area, smacked the woodwork from six yards.

Hearts continued to pile forward but the home side held firm and earned three points in front of their own fans for the first time since March.

Full Time Dundee UNited 2 - Hearts 1

This bringing an end to united bad form at home and bringing them their first home win of the season and first home win against hearts for a long time.