Two second-half goals from centre-back Stuart Findlay – including the winner in the 94th minute – stunned Dundee United as Hearts salvaged their 100% start to the Scottish Premiership campaign.
A pulsating game in the Tannadice sunshine deserved a dramatic ending, and Findlay delivered it as he stooped in stoppage time to head in Alexandros Kyziridis’ corner.
It was the defender’s fourth goal of this nascent season, having bulleted his third into the top corner to draw Hearts level at 2-2 after the break.
The outcome was heartbreaking for a depleted Dundee United side who had themselves come back from a goal down to lead.
Lawrence Shankland’s penalty after Findlay was bundled over by Iurie Iovu broke the deadlock, before Ivan Dolcek took centre stage for United.
The Croatian curled in a free-kick just three minutes after Shankland’s opener, and then fired in a second at the near post before half-time.
Hearts goalkeeper Zander Clark got a hand to both efforts and was livid he could keep neither out.
But fortunately for him, Findlay bailed him out with two expertly-taken goals from corners.
It means Hearts have won both of their league games so far, as well as four League Cup victories at the start of the season, to give Derek McInnes the perfect start at Tynecastle.
United have European football to focus on come Thursday, but for all of their efforts here they have just the point they gained at Falkirk last week.