Morgaro Gomis (centre) equalised late on for Dundee United

Morgaro Gomis' superb late strike saved a point for Dundee United as they avoided ending a miserable week bottom of the Scottish Premier League.

An Adrian Mrowiec header had already struck the United crossbar before David Templeton fired Hearts into a 30th-minute lead from inside the box.

Hearts goalkeeper Marian Kello saved a Jon Daly penalty after the break.

But Gomis' fine 85th-minute volley from 22 yards prevented United suffering a second consecutive league defeat.

Hearts had suffered a double blow before kick-off when, already without injured captain Marius Zaliukas, striker Calum Elliot failed a fitness test and then Lee Wallace pulled up in the warm-up.

United's plans were also disrupted as early as the third minute when Danny Swanson pulled up clutching his hamstring after a bursting run from midfield and was replaced with David Robertson.

Templeton opened the scoring for Hearts against United

Hearts defender Ismael Bouzid was also whisked away to the home dressing room for treatment for several minutes after sustaining a head knock in a collision with United captain Daly.

The hosts, who had Darren Barr, Suso and Mrowiec back in the starting line-up, fashioned the first chance after five minutes.

Templeton teed up Kevin Kyle outside the box, but the Scotland striker blasted a shot well over Dusan Pernis' crossbar.

United were struggling to deal the Kyle's height advantage with the striker winning just about everything in the air.

Craig Thomson's cross was knocked down by the former Kilmarnock player, but Mrowiec's effort glanced off the top of the bar.

Barry Douglas made a fine United debut following his summer switch from Queen's Park, while Danny Swanson, Jon Daly and David Goodwillie were also recalled after Thursday's Europa League exit.

Full-back Douglas created his side's first threat, swinging a dangerous low cross into the six yard box and goalkeeper Marian Kello did well to get to the ball ahead of Daly.

Templeton unleashed a stinging left-footed drive from an angle inside the box that was pushed behind by Pernis.

And the winger supplied the finish when Hearts broke on the counter-attack in the 30th minute.

Suso raced clear of Garry Kenneth from deep inside his own half before finding Templeton charging into the box.

The winger's heavy first touch looked to have narrowed the angle with Pernis rushing from his line, but he slipped a delicate right-footed reverse shot into the corner of the net.

United carved open the Hearts defence three minutes before the break, when Daly powered forward and teed up Craig Conway, but the sought-after midfielder blazed a shot over the bar from inside the box.

Templeton struck a right-footed shot that was deflected just past the post.

Conway was without doubt United's most dangerous player and he hit a 20-yard left-footed drive just over after spinning away from Eggert Jonsson on the edge of the area.

United were handed a chance to level when referee Craig Thomson pointed for a penalty after spotting a handball in a congested box.

Daly stepped up to take the spot kick, but his tame effort was palmed clear by Kello.

The visitors were level four minutes from time, however, when substitute Gomis struck a stunning strike high into the net after David Robertson's cross was only partially cleared.

United finished the game on the front foot as Conway cut inside in the box before having a shot repelled by Kello.

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