Hearts midfielder Laryea Kingston put a dent in nine-man Dundee United's UEFA Cup dream by resurrecting his side's top-six hopes with a first-half winner in front of club owner Vladimir Romanov.

The Ghana international lit up a dull first half by showing great composure to beat Lukasz Zaluska at his near post in the 27th minute.

Noel Hunt missed a great chance to equalise before the break, while Hearts winger Saulius Mikoliunas blasted over in the 59th minute with the goal gaping.

United finished the game with nine men when Garry Kenneth and substitute Danny Swanson were both given their marching orders at the death.

In a tame opening, Hearts enjoyed the better of possession against United without creating any clear-cut chances.

The first effort on goal came after six minutes when Marius Zaliukas met Michael Stewart's out-swinging corner but his header drifted wide.

Kingston then had United goalkeeper Zaluska worried with a cross-shot that landed on the roof of the net.

United striker Hunt was guilty of missing a sitter in the 19th minute when he took an air kick at the ball from eight yards from Willo Flood's cross.

Hearts midfielder Kingston finally gave the home supporters something to shout about in the 27th minute as he gave the hosts the lead with a composed finish.

Eggert Jonsson, who celebrated signing a new four-and-a-half-year deal on Friday, slipped the ball through to Kingston and he ran clear of the United defence before tucking the ball past Zaluska at his near post.

While the Hearts supporters came to watch the action on the pitch, they were temporarily distracted by a shouting match between interim head coach Stevie Frail from the dugout, and striker Christian Nade, with the former apparently not happy that the player was failing to heed team instructions.

Zaluska kept his side in the game with a good save from a Mikoliunas header five minutes before the break.

Despite Nade's indiscipline in the first half, the Frenchman returned for the second period as Frail resisted making any changes.

Referee Eddie Smith showed good awareness to play advantage to Hearts when Kingston was brought down by Kenneth in the 50th minute.

The ball found it's way to Nade and he turned well in the box before seeing a left-footed shot parried by Zaluska.

In a lively start to the second period, United striker Mark De Vries broke the offside trap but Christophe Berra recovered well to concede a corner.

Hearts should have doubled their lead in the 59th minute. Kingston stole the ball off Kenneth on the wing and his cross was only palmed away by Zaluska.

The ball landed at the feet of Mikoliunas but he managed to blast over from close range with the goal gaping.

United manager Craig Levein threw on impact sub Swanson in the hope the youngster could influence proceedings.

Even with three men up front at the end of the game, the visitors continued to lack ideas in the final third as former Hearts striker De Vries endured a difficult afternoon on his return to Tynecastle.

United's problems were compounded at the death when Kenneth was shown his second yellow card for a late challenge on Nade.

Swanson was then shown a straight red card for a rash challenge on Jonsson in injury-time.

Teams:

Hearts Basso, Neilson, Berra, Zaliukas, Goncalves,Mikoliunas (Wallace 78), Jonsson, Stewart,Kingston (Ivaskevicius 67), Palazuelos, Nade.

Subs Not Used: Ridgers, Tall, Elliot, Ksanavicius, Glen.

Booked: Neilson, Ivaskevicius.

Goals: Kingston 27.

Dundee Utd Zaluska, Kovacevic (Daly 79), Kenneth, Wilkie,Kalvenes, Flood, Kerr, Gomis, Conway (Swanson 64),Hunt (O'Brien 70), De Vries.

Subs Not Used: McLean, Dillon, Grainger, Robertson.

Sent Off: Kenneth (90), Swanson (90).

Booked: Kenneth.

Att: 16,871

Ref: E Smith (Scotland).