Heart of Midlothian 0
Dundee 1
League (Premier League)

Match Report

A Ryan Conroy penalty goal just three minutes into the game gave Dundee their first SPL win in over seven years, while at the other end a magnificent penalty save from Rab' Douglas made sure the point headed out of the capital on The Dark Blues team bus.

Wearing their new white away kit for the first time in an SPL game the Dark Blues grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck right from the off and they gained reward sixty seconds in when Hearts captain Marius Zaliukas pulled down Colin Nish as the striker tried to tum in the box, referee Craig Thomson having no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.

Ryan Conroy's not missed from the spot yet and he never looked like this one, cooly slotting it past Jamie MacDonald before racing away to celebrate. Playing 4-5-1 with John Baird wide on the right of the five man midfield and the Dark Blues played some flowing football in the early stages against a home side who looked somewhat shell shocked by that early set back.

Thirteen minutes in a fine move saw McAlister find Nish in space but the striker had drifted marginally offside as he fired a shot just wide.

Five minutes later Hearts had their first pop at goal, midfielder Mehdi Taouil firing) in a rising 25 yearer which Douglas tipped over the bar.

In 21 minutes Dundee came close to doubling their lead as McAlister found Irvine with a fine back heel flick, the captain then picked out Baird who fired just wide from outside the box.

Dundee broke again two minutes later and Baird had another try at goal, which was deflected over the bar for a comer.

Hearts turned on the pressure and in 25 minutes they had a penalty opportunity of their own, youngster Callum Paterson tumbling in the box when challenged by Neil McGregor.

There would be no third score from the spot of the season for former Dee John Sutton though as Rab' Douglas dived full length to his right to pull off a magnificent stop which had the Dundee fans screaming their delight.

Dundee were getting forward whenever possible and looked dangerous on the break but they hadn't managed to test MacDonald again.

Young Paterson on the right for Hearts looked a bright prospect and he cut inside to fire a 25 yarder on target just after the half hour, Douglas again at full stretch to deny the winger.

Seven minutes before the break it was Douglas to the rescue again as he dived low to his left to deny Dale Carrick-Hearts though were being restricted to shots from distance by the Dark Blue rearguard with Davide Grassi in top form at the centre of the back line.

Four minutes after the interval it took Douglas two attempts to gather a firmly hit shot from Arvydas Novikovas.

Hearts rolled forward in numbers after the break and it was backs to the wall stuff for the Dark Blues, Douglas looked almost unbeatable though and on the one occasion when the ball evaded him and hit the target it was Ryan Conroy to the rescue with a header off the goal line midway through the half.

The last half hour saw more pressure but when they got past the Dens back four their finishing was suspect. Paterson heading wide from a great position sat time ran out.

Backed, again, by a magnificent traveling support the Dee stood firm in the face of waves of Hearts attacks and the final whistle saw scenes of joy at the first win.

As that support sang loud and proud, "Dundee are back."

Match report written by Official Dundee website