Jamie Walker returns as Hearts 20s blow three-goal lead

JAMIE WALKER got his first taste of action since October as Hearts Under-20s blew a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Dundee United in the Development League.

Jamie Walker played 45 minutes on his return to action

The winger, back following knee surgery, played the first 45 minutes at Links Park, Montrose.

Dario Zanatta gave Hearts a sixth-minute lead, drilling a shot under goalkeeper Ryan Booth. Callumn Morrison added a second goal on 17 minutes, rifling home an angled shot following a Liam Smith through ball.

On 31 minutes, Smith was again the provider as Buchanan smashed home a brilliant 25-yard shot. Hearts conceded a goal on 38 minutes, very much against the run of play, Scott Fraser netting a Robbie Muirhead pass from the edge of the box. United pulled another goal back six minutes into the second following a mix-up in the Hearts defence between Daniel Baur and Jack Hamilton, Regan Tumilty taking advantage.

Zanatta had a shot saved then a further effort blocked. Russell McLean had a shot cleared of the line, then had a shot brilliantly saved, before United equalised on 62 minutes, Fraser chasing a through ball and scoring with a 12-yard deflected shot.

On 76 minutes, McLean was sent off for kicking out a defender who was pulling his jersey.

Hearts: Hamilton, L Smith, Baur, Jones, L Henderson, Morrison, McKirdy, Buchanan, Moore (I Smith 82), Walker (McLean 46), Zanatta. Unused subs: Fisher, Baxter, Howlett-Mundle, Roy.