A thrilling 90-minute display by Dundee United marked a continued revival for the home side as Hearts suffered yet another drawback in the wake of financial difficulties at the club.

Hearts manager, Csaba Laszlo, suffered the heaviest defeat of his Tynecastle career on a rain-ridden Saturday afternoon at Tannadice Park. In the popposite dug-out, however, Craig Levein came into the match with an encouraging record against his former club. Hearts goalkeeper Marian Kello did well to end the game having let in just three goals as Jon Daly sent a header against the post and Kello denied Sean Dillon and Scott Roberton's clean attempts at goal.

Bruno Aguiar, who was placed on the Hearts bench due to injury, was not called upon by his manager as The Terrors continued to pressurise the Hearts' back four. United had the better of the opening exchanges, highlighted by a confident in-swinging corner by Craig Conway which was met by Jon Daly who struck cleanly only to be denied by the woodwork.

Conway continued to show his class, and was rewarded for his efforts in the 39th minute when he curled a 30-yard free-kick past Kello and into the top corner of the Hearts net to the delight of Tayside. In-form Morgaro Gomis also thundered an effort off the bar to keep the United fans singing.

Shortly after the re-start, The Jambos found themselves two goals behind as the home-side continued to dominate in possession and on the counter attack. A long ball from Willo Flood drifted over the heads of the Hearts defence and was chested down by Jon Daily and volleyed in off the post on 50 minutes.

United's lead was then extended to three eleven minutes later when Scott Robertson rose to Conway's free-kick and headed past the stranded Kello.

Hearts' tempers frayed for the away team and as a result of the third goal, and referee Dougie McDonald was forced to show a second yellow to defensive midfielder Eggert Jonsson after 74 minutes.

Laszlo, who opted to name an unchanged team from the side that confidently beat Inverness at Tynecastle last week, was unable to provide his players with inspiration. The Hearts forwards lacked impetus in the final third and failed to stamp any authority on the match.

A handful of tidy passes resulted in glimmers of hope for Hearts in the second half; Saulius Mikoliunas came close to giving the ten-man side a consolation late on with an impressive drive, but it was the woodwork which denied his effort.

The disjointed display hammered the spirit and discipline of the away fans who had all but headed for the exits by the 80th minute. The Edinburgh outfit should find themselves lucky to be sat in third spot in the SPL table as Kilmarnock relish the challenge of facing an out-of-sorts Hearts side next week.