Luca Stephenson equalised just before half-time as William Hill Premiership leaders Hearts were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Dundee United.
The Jambos, who started the day nine points clear at the top, took the lead in the 25th minute when Alexandros Kyziridis’ shot rebounded from a post and ricocheted over the line off United keeper Yevheni Kucherenko.
But Stephenson headed the visitors level, and the Tynecastle side – unable to break them down after the break – were forced to settle for a second draw in three matches.
Hearts boss Derek McInnes made three changes to the side that swatted aside Dundee the previous weekend as Michael Steinwender, Blair Spittal and the injured Beni Baningime made way for Craig Halkett, Tomas Magnusson and Claudio Braga.
There were four changes to the United team that started their 2-0 defeat at Motherwell, with injured duo Craig Sibbald and Will Ferry among those to drop out.
Hearts were given a scare in the eighth minute when Zac Sapsford got in behind and chipped beyond Alexander Schwolow but it was swiftly ruled out for offside.
The hosts almost carved out an opening in the 13th minute when Claudio Braga drove forward and released Kyziridis in the box but Stephenson got back to make a crucial challenge and knock the ball behind.
From the corner, Magnusson’s rising shot from the edge of the box was brilliantly beaten away by Kucherenko.
Landry Kabore and Braga then drilled shots just wide from the edge of the box, while Kabore headed over from Oisin McEntee’s cross as the hosts started to crank up the pressure.
The breakthrough came in the 25th minute following another well-worked Hearts set-piece routine.
Harry Milne took a corner on the right short to Braga, who rolled a pass to the unmarked Kyziridis outside the box. The Greek winger took a touch before unleashing a right-footed shot that came back off the post and ricocheted over the line off the back of Kucherenko’s head.
United responded positively and almost equalised immediately when Amar Fatah got in behind McEntee on the left, but his low angled shot was clawed away by Schwolow.
Kyziridis had a chance to double Hearts’ lead but lobbed just over after Milne’s cross from the left broke to him.
The Jambos were struggling to exert their authority, however, and United built their way back into the game as the interval approached. Fatah headed wide from close range before a clearance from Schwolow bounced off visiting forward Ivan Dolcek and spun wide.
The visitors’ equaliser came in the 45th minute when Stephenson drifted in unmarked at the back post to meet Fatah’s corner eight yards out and power a header beyond Schwolow, who got a hand to it.
McInnes responded with a double change for the start of the second half as Stephen Kingsley and Steinwender replaced McEntee and Kabore.
Hearts enjoyed most of the ball in the second half but struggled to create chances and United’s threat on the counter-attack was highlighted when they had two late goals disallowed for offside.
