United pay for missed penalties

Former Dundee attacker Craig Wighton helped himself to two goals at the Oriam Centre yesterday as the Tannadice second string contributed greatly to their own downfall by missing two first half penalties.

Two down after nine minutes to strikes from Rory Currie and Wighton, Paul McMullan fired the first spot-kick high and wide two minutes later.

Then, on 34 minutes, the visitors’ trialist winger was brought down in the box for the second and Hearts keeper Kevin Silva saved Matty Smith’s effort before scrambling the rebound away to safety.

However, a minute later the deficit was reduced, Luc Bollan heading home a free-kick.

Five minutes from the break, Wighton, who joined Hearts from Dundee last week, drilled home Hearts’ third.

Early in the second half the visitors went close to pulling one back when Sam Wardrop’s flick was touched on to the post by Silva.

The United skipper was then in action at the other end, clearing off the line to deny former Dark Blue Wighton a hat-trick.

Midway through the half, Tony McDonald scored Hearts’ fourth from an acute angle and, with the last kick of the game, substitute Euan Henderson capitalised on a defensive error for number five.

United: Donaldson, Wardrop (Graham 72), Trialist 1, Zata (Thomas 61), Edjenguele, Bollan, Appere, Glass, Smith, McMullan, Trialist 2. Subs not used: Currid, Reekie, Ward.