A second-half penalty save by Antti Niemi earned Hearts a point in the 1-1 draw with Dundee United at Tannadice.

The Finnish international had conceded the penalty after bringing down United midfielder Charlie Miller only a minute after substitute Gary Wales had equalised for the visitors.

Steven Thompson had given United the lead in the first half.

It was Miller himself who took the spot-kick but Niemi made amends for his mistake by diving to his right to push the ball past the post for a corner.

The draw was a fair result after a game which had little in the way of skill and invention but relied too much on determination and effort.

It was the visitors who made an impressive opening, forcing a corner after only a minute when a Thomas Flogel cross from the right had to be cleared from the danger area by United defender Jason de Vos.

From the resulting corner there was an almighty goalmouth scramble before United cleared their lines.

However the rest of the first half was dull and uninspiring and seemed to be heading for a goalless conclusion until United striker Thompson made an impact with only minutes remaining.

Miller's shot from 20 yards beat Niemi but rebounded off the post, falling kindly to Thompson only yards from goal and the big striker netted easily.

Hearts reacted to the loss of the late first-half goal by bringing on two substitutes at the interval, Gary Wales and Scott Severin replacing Robbie Neilson and Lee Makel.

These changes seemed to inspire the visitors who stepped up the pace of the game in search of the equaliser.

However the home side defence held firm and indeed they should have doubled their lead in the 56th minute after clever play by David Hannah.

The United midfielder put Miller through with a reverse pass but, after setting himself up nicely for the shot, the ex-Rangers man's effort was weak and Niemi saved comfortably.

In the 65th minute, somewhat out of the blue, the visitors got the equaliser.

Steven Boyack raced down the right and his cross to the back post was met by substitute Wales who headed back across goal and into the net giving United keeper Paul Gallacher no chance.

But barely a minute later United were awarded a penalty when Miller was adjudged to have been brought down in the box by Niemi.

It seemed a harsh decision as the Hearts keeper had saved Miller's shot before crashing into him.

Miller picked himself up to take the penalty himself but Niemi threw himself to his right to push the ball past the post for a corner.

It was a dramatic moment in the game and as far as the visiting supporters were concerned, justice was done.

Both teams continued to go all out for the winner and with minutes remaining United substitute Paul Robinson had a great chance when Derek Lilley sent him clear of the Hearts defence.

However the youngster hesitated and his angled shot from eight yards out went well wide of Niemi's left-hand post.

With only seconds remaining, Hearts midfielder Robert Tomaschek was sent off after stamping on United youngster Craig Easton.

Teams:

Dundee Utd: Gallacher, McCunnie, Lauchlan, De Vos, Buchan, Easton, Miller (Venetis 77), Griffin, Hannah, Lilley (Naveda 89), Thompson (Robinson 79).

Subs Not Used: Combe, Partridge.

Booked: Lilley.

Goals: Thompson 45.

Hearts: Niemi, Neilson (Wales 46), Pressley, Mckenna, McCann, Boyack, Makel (Severin 46), Cameron, Tomaschek, Flogel, Kirk (Juanjo 79).

Subs Not Used: McKenzie, Webster.

Booked: McCann, Niemi.

Goals: Wales 65.

Att: 7,242

Ref: A Freeland (Scotland).