A Steven Thompson goal just before half-time gave Dundee United a 1-0 half-time lead over Hearts at Tannadice.

In an opening half that was dull and uninspiring, Thompson livened things up when he pounced on a Charlie Miller effort which had come off the post, to knock the ball in from close range.

Hearts made an impressive opening to the game, forcing a corner after one minute when Thomas Flogel raced into the box and had his cross deflected wide by United defender Jason De Vos.

From the resulting Lee Makel corner there was an untidy goalmouth scramble before the home side cleared their lines.

In the fourth minute Hearts midfielder Colin Cameron clashed heads with United's Danny Griffin but both players resumed after treatment.

The home side fought their way back into the game and minutes later David Hannah should have done better with a free header from eight yards out but the United midfielder's effort went tamely over the bar.

In the 11th minute Griffin sent Thompson through but the United striker took the ball wide and his shot never troubled Hearts keeper Antti Niemi.

As the first half wore on both sides were having spells in possession but clear-cut chances at either end were scarce.

In the 19th minute Thompson shrugged off the attention of Makel to set up Hannah at the edge of the Hearts box where United midfielders shot went high and wide.

The visitors' reply was to force a couple of corners in quick succession but the United defence held firm and keeper Paul Gallacher was untroubled.

The game was being played in low-key fashion although United's Thompson was lucky not to be booked after a late challenge by Makel left the Hearts defender on the ground clutching his jaw.

The game refused to burst into life and play was littered with mistakes from both sides.

In the 40th minute there was panic in the Hearts defence when Niemi miskicked a clearance but luckily for the visiting keeper Thompson was slow to react and the danger was averted.

Two minutes from the break, Griffin came close when his free-kick from 30 yards thrashed off Niemi's right hand post and bounced to safety.

Right on the half-time whistle, to everyone's surprise, United took the lead. Midfielder Miller drove a shot from 20 yards which beat Niemi but came off the post.

But standing in good position was Thompson who netted easily from close range.