Heart of Midlothian continued their incredible form in the City of Discovery, coming from behind twice to win 3-2 against Dundee.

A first-half goal from former Hearts defender Jordan McGhee was the difference between the sides at the interval. Alan Forrest equalised but Lyall Cameron quickly put the home side in front. Step forward, Lawrence Shankland. The striker scored twice, once from the penalty spot.

Steven Naismith's men now hold a 12-point advantage in third and have won away from home once more.

Joel and James look back at the action from Dens Park.

READ MORE: Steven Naismith Q&A: Hearts threat, Shankland's starring role and Sibbick start

Going behind

Hearts have been slow out of the traps at times this season, with first-half goals – and leads – a rarity. So it was again at Dens Park as the away side trudged off at the interval 1-0 down to a smattering of boos from the sizable traveling support but with one crucial distinction: this time, Hearts hadn’t played especially poorly.

Hearts settled into the contest and were moving the ball about nicely at times. There were some clever first-time passes, incisive runs from deep, and there was a real cutting edge about their play in and around the Dundee box. There weren’t many clear-cut chances to shout about, but Hearts had started pretty well for once.

The home side were playing quick, direct football as they tried to catch their opponents in transition, finding little pockets of space all over the park. Midway through the first half, Luke McCowan did well to find some room out left before curling an inviting delivery into the Hearts box. Jordan McGhee reacted quickest, gliding in between Alan Forrest and Dexter Lembikisa to head Tony Docherty’s men in front.

Dundee were in the ascendancy for the next 10 minutes or so as Hearts found themselves pinned back deep inside their own territory, but it was the visitors who rallied and finished the opening half with the momentum behind them. They were enjoying a lot of the ball, while Lawrence Shankland and Forrest were looking lively in the final third.

A glance at the half-time scoreline would have told you that this was the same old story from Hearts, but that wasn’t the case. Yes, they were once again trailing at the break – but they had played relatively well and you knew this team could always turn it around...

Bouncing back

Since going down to Aberdeen at Pittodrie having led at half-time, Hearts have developed a strong resilience. Whether it be a poor first-half performance or going behind, they manage to find a way.

It is a mentality and character that is much sought after in teams. Hearts have that. It is an attribute that comes from Naismith but is fostered with team spirit. Watching the players before the game it is clear there is a strong camaraderie within the dressing room. One of togetherness, working and fighting for one another.

That is then translated on the pitch. They dig in and keep going and it is, therefore, no surprise that they manage to finish strongly, aided by a strong squad, shrewd substitutions and good stamina. 

You can never rule this Hearts team and that trust from the support grows stronger and stronger with very little, in fact, no, negativity emanating from the sold-out away stand.

And, when the Dundee fans started singing about Hearts falling apart, you just knew there was every chance the visitors were going to put themselves together to win. Again.

Goals are being shared about - but Shankland reigns supreme

For much of the season, it has been the case that Lawrence Shankland has scored around and often more than half of the team's goals. When he netted the winner against Hibs in December, he had scored nine of the previous 11 goals in all competitions. Since the victory at Easter Road, Hearts have scored 14 in all competitions. The club's talismanic striker has scored five of those, the latest coming at Dens Park as he ended his penalty curse, scoring from 12 yards having missed his previous three, before scoring a late winner. He just never stops.

But Kenneth Vargas and Alan Forrest are two to have stepped up in the past two months, alleviating the reliance and pressure on the captain to find the back of the net and in the final third in general. 

It was Forrest who scored the team's first goal, equalising for a short spell before Lyall Cameron put the home side back in front. It has to be said, however, that much of the work was done by Shankland and some dainty footwork and balance.

It is encouraging that the goals are beginning to be shared around heading into the final third of the campaign. Even more so when Shankland continues to be the main man, producing match-winning moments. Forget about the transfer speculation, forget about the contract situation, he does it time and time and time again. No matter what. A Hearts legend in the making.

Incredible run

We have just entered February and Hearts are 12 points clear in third. They are unbeaten in nine in all competitions, winning eight. They have lost just twice in the last 14. It is a run to be proud of and the growth in the team is getting better and better all the time.

When you look at the league table, Hearts are closer to second than they are to fourth. Onwards and upwards.

Sibbick inclusion

There were a few eyebrows raised when the team news was announced and it was revealed that Toby Sibbick would be partnering Frankie Kent at centre-half, with Craig Halkett left on the bench while Stephen Kingsley missed the game through illness. Sibbick hasn’t featured all that much recently, and rarely at centre-back in a back four, and with good reason: quite simply, the defender hasn’t always convinced.

Sibbick got off to a shaky start against Dundee, and found himself embroiled in a couple of moments at the back early on. He soon settled into the contest though, and was a relatively steady presence at the back and a safe pair of hands. He was perhaps a little too reluctant to close down his man for Dundee’s second goal and could have been a touch more assertive, but overall he could be fairly pleased with his performance.

Sibbick was the subject of interest down south on transfer deadline day – but his performance against Dundee suggested that he might just have a long-term future in Gorgie after all.

Beck wins battle 

Hearts focused a lot of their attack, certainly in the first half, down their right-hand side where Dexter Lembikisa supported Yutaro Oda against Owen Beck. In the opening 20 minutes, the Japanese winger had three or four attempts at taking the left wing-back down the line but he was undone every single time. Lembikisa then had his own try and flummoxed Beck on the first couple of occasions with his body shape, threatening to go on the inside. But the Liverpool loanee would emerge the dominant figure, defensively and then, in the second half, in an attacking sense.

After Oda's struggles and inability to get the better of his opponent, it was Kenneth Vargas' chance in the final 30 minutes. He didn't quite have the impact on the front foot. When you look around the league at the best left-backs - or wing-backs - it is a competition between Beck and Hearts' own Alex Cochrane. It was the latter who was on the winning side, however.