Stuart Findlay’s brace helps Hearts hit back to beat Dundee United

Defender Stuart Findlay scored twice as Hearts snatched a last-gasp 3-2 victory against Dundee United in a pulsating contest at Tannadice.

Hearts skipper Lawrence Shankland opened the scoring with a penalty against his former side, with the hosts bouncing back strongly before the break thanks to Ivan Dolcek’s double.

Findlay equalised just before the hour mark and popped up in stoppage time to grab a dramatic winner.

The result leaves the Jam Tarts top of the William Hill Premiership after two games.

United made three changes to the starting line-up that secured a notable draw against Rapid Vienna in Austria on Thursday night, with Owen Stirton, Miller Thomson and Dolcek coming in for Will Ferry, Max Watters and Isaac Pappoe.

Hearts made just one change to the team that beat Aberdeen 2-0 on Monday night at Tynecastle, with Alan Forrest replacing Christian Borchgrevink.

The visitors made a bright start and were first to threaten in the eighth minute when Frankie Kent got his head to a Harry Milne corner but the defender could not trouble United goalkeeper Yevhenii Kucherenko as the ball sailed over the crossbar.

The Terrors made a quickfire response with Vicko Sevelj hitting a blistering 30-yard drive which keeper Zander Clark dived to his right to push away for a corner.

Hearts had another gilt-edged opportunity when Forrest whipped in a superb cross from the right but Claudio Braga’s glancing header flew straight into Kucherenko’s grateful grasp.

However, the visitors broke the deadlock in the 19th minute. United defender Iurie Iovu grappled Findlay to the ground inside the home box and referee David Dickinson pointed to the spot. Hearts skipper Shankland stepped up and calmly struck his penalty into the bottom corner, sending Kucherenko the wrong way.

That lead only lasted three minutes. United were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out following a foul on Stirton and Dolcek’s effort flew high into the back of the net despite the best efforts of Clark, who got a hand to the ball.

Dundee United then took the lead in the 42nd minute. Panutche Camara threaded a great ball through to Dolcek, with the Croatian hitting a shot that Clark could not keep out at his near post.

Hearts pinned the Terrors back at the start of the second half and equalised in the 58th minute. Milne sent an inswinging corner from the left towards Findlay who powered a header high past Kucherenko.

And in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Findlay pounced to seal the win for his side with another fine diving header from an Alex Kyziridis corner.