Dundee United manager Gordon Chisholm admitted slackness at the start of the game cost his side dearly as they lost to Hearts at Tannadice.
"Hearts were very sharp, but the two early goals came from set pieces and at that level you can't afford to give goals like that away," he said.
"We switched off and didn't pick up the players who scored.
"Over the piece, though, we're not far away from Hearts. We just need a break. It's been a hard start to the season."