United lined up in a 3-5-2 formation with McLean in goal behind a back three of Dodds, McCracken and Gardiner. Callaghan played wide on the right and Easton on the left with a middle three of McInnes, Cameron and Robertson. Up front Grady partnered Scotland.
Hearts took and early lead through Elliot and United tried hard to get back into the match in the first half. Grady had a decent opportunity when he was one on one with the keeper but the Hearts man came off best. Near the end of the half Callaghan had his effort ruled offside.
After the break Hearts almost increased their lead right away but McLean saved bravely at the feel of Mikoliunas. The Edinburgh side did increase their lead through Weir with an hour gone and the points were tied up when Pelosi scored fifteen minutes from the end. United's only counter of note in the second period was a Grady header that the keeper's finger tipped over.
"We didn't play too badly until we got to the final third." said Dave Bowman after the match. "But the simple fact of the matter is we never looked like scoring. Two of the goals we lost came from our corners and over the piece we just allowed Hearts too much room. We'll certainly be looking for a big improvement when we head for Kilmarnock next week."