Both teams were a big cagey in the opening spell of the game. Dundee did attack a couple of time but they failed to find a opening to trouble Hearts. They went close soon after when they hit the post.
The Dark Blues first shot was a firmly struck volley by Amadou Bakayoko from Luke McCowan’s cross, but the shot was too close to keeper Zander Clark. Trevor Carson saved well from Alan Forrest after the Hearts wide man dribbled into the penalty area.
Dundee took the lead, somewhat against the run of play, after 26 minutes. A deep cross from left midfield by McCowan found Jordan McGhee running in from the right and the wing back powered a header across Clark and inside the far post.
It gave every one a lift as Dundee looked much better as a team, playing some nice football. They had a couple of efforts saved. Carson was also pulled into action and saved twice as the half came to a close.
Second half and Dundee maybe should have scored but Ashcroft put his effort over the bar when it should have been on target.
They payed the price when Hearts scored soon after when Forrest netted. Dundee came desperately close to an instant response. Beck burst to the byline and hit a low cross across goal. Lyall Cameron couldn’t reach the ball to turn it and the ball was scrambled round the post for a corner.
The Dee did regain the lead after 59 minutes. Bakayoko, McCowan and Cameron worked a slick move through the middle and Lyall Cameron had space to lash a beautiful 20 yard shot past Clark.
Dundee had a good spell pushing Hearts back as they played great football. Owen Dodgson came closest, from a Beck corner, but his header struck the post.
But then Hearts started to throw men forward and got a huge stroke of luck when Shankland’s shot on the turn from 18 yards struck Ashcroft, who was only a few feet away. The referee decided the ball hit the defender’s arm and awarded a penalty. Carson got a hand to Shankland’s spot kick but the ball ended up in the net off the inside of the post.
Dundee pushed forward again and Robinson missed a header which he put wide from six yards out. But Hearts scored again when Shankland beat Carson with a shot with 3 minutes to go normal time.
It was tough for Dundee to lose this game and the Penalty had a big change in the way the game ended. Dundee played well and can now carry this on at St Mirren next Wednesday.
Dundee: Carson, Ashcroft, Shaughnessy (c), Dodgson, McGhee, Cameron, Boateng, McCowan, Beck, Mellon (Robinson 65), Bakayoko, Unused Subs: Legzdins (gk), Sharp (gk), Astley, Tiffoney, Main, Mulligan, Robertson, Sylla.
Referee: Graham Grainger
Att: 7,506
