Hearts regain some control at the top of the table with win over Dundee

Oisin McEntee headed a crucial late goal as Hearts reasserted themselves at the top of the William Hill Premiership with a 1-0 win over Dundee.

On a tense day at Tynecastle, the Jambos looked in danger of dropping points for the second weekend running following their deflating 1-0 defeat at Kilmarnock last Saturday.

Aided by the return to action of key duo Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin after injury lay-offs, however, the leaders eventually eked out the goal their play merited to keep themselves clear of both Rangers and Celtic, who visit Dundee United on Sunday.

Derek McInnes initially made four changes to the Hearts team that started the 1-0 defeat at Kilmarnock, with Frankie Kent, Jordi Altena, Devlin and McEntee all added.

The Jambos boss was then forced into another alteration just over half an hour before kick-off when key centre-back Craig Halkett pulled out with a back issue.

Inspirational captain Shankland was named on the bench as he returned to contention following two months out with a hamstring injury.

Dundee – the last team to win at Tynecastle back in April last year – also made four changes to the side that started the 2-2 draw at home to Dundee United as Brad Halliday, Fin Robertson, Ashley Hay and Joe Westley all started.

Hearts had most of the ball early on but were generally kept at arm’s length by their visitors.

The hosts’ first opportunity came in the 27th minute when Claudio Braga burst in from the right and played a one-two with Altena on the edge of the box, but the Portuguese forward dragged his low shot well wide.

Hearts threatened again when Landry Kabore headed wide after being picked out by Alexandros Kyziridis’ cross from the left.

The Jambos’ best chance of the first half came in stoppage time when Braga flicked on Alexander Schwolow’s kick-out, sending Kabore clean through on goal, but the Burkina Faso striker lost his composure and sent his attempted lob well off target.

Moments later, Dundee registered their first notable attempt when Westley’s shot from a free-kick on the edge of the box was beaten away by Schwolow.

Five minutes after the break, Braga saw a powerful drive from 25 yards saved by Jon McCracken.

The Hearts support were roused in the 54th minute when McInnes summoned talisman Shankland, along with Blair Spittal, from the bench to replace Altena and Kabore.

Dundee continued to frustrate the leaders, however, and Ryan Astley made a vital intervention in the 73rd minute to deny Braga a shot at goal after Jamie McCart knocked Spittal’s delivery into the danger area.

At the other end, Dee sub Murray clipped an effort just over from a Robertson cross.

But the breakthrough eventually came in the 77th minute when McEntee rose at the back post to head Marc Leonard’s free-kick powerfully beyond McCracken, who got a hand to it.

Hearts were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time when Kent received a second yellow card for a foul on Charlie Reilly but they held firm.