Substitute Yan Dhanda glanced the ball home in injury time to snap a ten game winless run for Hearts and spark heady celebrations in the Tynecastle dugout in Azerbaijan.
The summer signing was in the right place at the right time to nod home a headed pass across the six yard line from skipper Lawrence Shankland (pictured) after Jorge Grant had flicked the ball into the danger area.
Hearts had dominated possession and territory in the empty stadium against a disappointing Dinamo Minsk outfit who are handily placed to take over at the top of their domestic league, but Laim Fox’s men were unable to find the vital spark to unlock the Belaris side’s defence.
They did threaten and Barrie McKay volleyed over the bar after a ball from Shankland but Minsk went ahead after 20 minutes when Nigerian forward Stephen Alfred swept the ball into the net, giving Craig Gordon no chance, and, despite dominating, the Capital combine were unable to find a killing pass.
Indeed, it took an own goal when James Penrice swung a corner from the right into the penalty box and it was headed home by 34-year-old Minsk defender Sergey Politevich after 37 minutes, a major boost to the visitors.
Hearts were in the game but, in the second half, they failed to find any real rhythm up-front. The home side relied on breakaways, but the scoreline stayed the same as the clock ticked down on a poor game devoid of atmosphere and real entertainment.
Fox made several substitutions to find that vital spark to unlock the home defence but it looked as if the UEFA Conference League game was heading for a 1-1 draw.
Shankland had two chances in the same attack but failed to make them count, but the Jambos kept plugging away and were rewarded when 26-year-old, former Ross County star, Dhanda, sent the ball into net from close range for Hearts’ first win of the season.
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