A young Dundee side went down 2-1 to Hearts in the SPFL Development League last night at Ochilview.
The Edinburgh side included a number of players with first team experience but Jimmy Boyle’s team put in a good showing in horrendous conditions.
Rain poured down throughout the 90 minutes and made it difficult for both sides to play on the artificial surface.
Dundee were dealt a blow early in the match when Kerr Waddell was forced off through injury and had to reshuffle a defence which already included players playing out of position. Winger Kyle Clark filled in excellently at right back while Matty Allan started the match at left back but was moved into the centre following Waddell’s departure. He was replaced by Brian Rice.
The first half was an even affair with both teams having chances. Kyle Gourlay made some good saved to deny to hosts while Ian Smith and Conor Coupe both found themselves in good positions for Dundee but couldn’t find that final ball.
Three minutes after the break, Hearts took the lead through Prince Buaben. The experienced midfielder curled home from the edge of the box.
As Dundee pushed on, they were caught on the break and after a mix up in the defence, Rory Currie found himself with a easy tap in to double the lead.
The Dark Blues kept at it and substitute Matthew Henvey pulled one back with a fine strike in injury time.
A couple more balls were launched forward but Hearts dealt with them well to see the game out.
The development team’s next match sees them face Hibernian in the Youth Cup at Dens on Sunday, kick off 1pm.
Dundee – Gourlay, Clark, Allan, Smyth, Waddell (Rice), Moore (Henvey), Coupe, Berry, M. Smith (Anderson), Curran, I. Smith
Unused subs – Ferrie
