Speedster Mathew Leckie gave United the perfect start when he intercepted a poor backpass from former team-mate Michael Marrone. 

Leckie skipped in ahead of Michael Beauchamp who had slipped and went to ground, and the Young Socceroo coolly slotted through the legs of Clint Bolton in Melbourne Heart's goal from 10 metres.

Five minutes before half-time the visitors grabbed a deserved equaliser when Heffernan delivered a pin-point cross from the left and found Rutger Worm 10 metres from goal.

The Dutchman got in front of his marker and was perfectly positioned to power his header past Eugene Galekovic in the Reds' goal, making it 1-1.

Iain Ramsay gave United the lead in the 52nd minute with his first Hyundai A-League goal, tapping in from close range after Lucas Pantelis had his shot saved by Bolton.

With a quarter of an hour remaining, the Heart again drew level after brilliant work from Worm down the left.

Worm nutmegged Daniel Mullen on the by-line and cut the ball back for substitute Eli Babaj, who found the back the net from eight metres with his first touch.

United were able to salvage all three points when Ramsay bagged his second after a delightful lay-off from Argentine Marcos Flores.

Flores flicked the ball through with the outside of his foot and the fleet-flooted winger smashed the ball through Bolton's legs from the second time in the match from a tight angle.