Last updated on .From the section Scottish Premiership

Hearts moved level on points with fourth-placed Kilmarnock after winning at Dundee to dent their hosts' Scottish Premiership survival hopes.

Sean Clare poked the visitors in front against the run of play to give Hearts a first win in five games.

Dundee threatened through James Horsfield, Kenny Miller and John O'Sullivan but could not get level.

Jim McIntyre's side remain a point above bottom side St Mirren and three behind Hamilton Academical.

But the Paisley side could overtake Dundee by beating Kilmarnock on Monday.

Hearts edge uninspiring contest

Stretching their advantage over St Mirren was foremost in Dundee minds, while Hearts manager Craig Levein said he was targeting a "strong" end to the season by pushing for a European place.

And in the early stages, the hosts looked the more likely to achieve their goal with Andy Dales, Scott Wright and Nathan Ralph firing in efforts before the Clare opener, and Miller testing Zdenek Zlamal after it.

Hearts' goal owed a lot to Arnaud Djoum's cross causing havoc in the Dundee box, with Darren O'Dea unable to clear his lines as Clare nipped in to score his third goal of the season.

Levein's men were largely in control from then on without creating many chances, Ben Garuccio curling a free-kick wide before the break.

Horsfield nodded too high as Dundee toiled in the second period and, at the other end, Uche Ikpeazu fired low into the hands of Seny Dieng.

Dundee finally exerted some pressure as the clock ran down, Miller's header and substitute O'Sullivan's volley kept out by Zlamal and the visitors held on to claim a first league win since 1 February.

Dales' first-half effort was deflected over

'Another bruising result for Dundee' - analysis

BBC Scotland's Tyrone Smith at Dens Park

It wasn't pretty, but Hearts will not care. After four Premiership games without a win, victory stops the rot and gets them heading back in the right direction again.

A season which promised so much could yet deliver for Craig Levein's former league leaders - they remain very much in the mix for a European place and the Scottish Cup, although Partick Thistle will have something to say about the latter in Tuesday's quarter-final replay.

As for Dundee, it has been a bruising few weeks - that is three straight defeats now with Celtic next up at Dens Park. Their relegation fears don't look like going away any time soon.

'Important to be able to scrap and fight' - reaction

Dundee manager Jim McIntyre: "It definitely feels like points dropped. I thought we had a lot of the game. We created a couple of really good opportunities and we've lost a really, really scrappy goal.

"It's just disappointment that we've not managed to take at least a point, because I felt that's what we deserved. As long as they continue to try and do the right things then I'm sure the results will turn."

Hearts manager Craig Levein: "It's important that we learn to win in different ways and if we need to scrap and fight and score a scrappy goal to win the game, then so be it.

"Hopefully, we can get a bit of confidence from this. We've got a cup tie on Tuesday evening. Hopefully we can do well in that."