Dundee fell to their seventh defeat in a row as Hearts ran out winners by 1 goal to nil in what was a scrappy game. Dundee made two changes Daniel Higgins made his first team debut, with Tom Hateley coming in for the suspended Danny Williams who had been sent off at Dingwall in the final minute. Kevin Gomis dropped to the bench.
Hearts took the lead after 13 minutes when sloppy play from Dundee allowed Cowie to find Goncalves who skipped past McGowan and slot the ball home despite the best efforts of O'Dea on the line to keep it out.
Dundee came close when a Hateley freekick was touched onto the post by the Hearts keeper, and down the other end Scott Bain had a couple of decent stops to keep Hearts from extending their lead.
Much the same vein in the second half and Dundee had a great chance when slack play from the Hearts defence let Craig Wighton through on goal but the young striker scuffed his shot wide and the chance was going.
Hearts likely deserved the win in what was a scrappy game with few chances for both sides.
Dundee now have six Cup Finals where they need to get points if they are going to stay in the league. Starting with Hamilton at Dens next Saturday.
Dundee: Bain, Higgins, O’Dea, Holt, Hateley, O’Hara, Vincent, McGowan, Kerr, Ojamaa (Wighton 58), Haber. Unused Subs: Mitchell, Ross, Dryden, Ian Smith, Kevin Gomis.
Att: 16,304
Ref: C Allan
