A last-minute header from Gary Smith boosted 10-man Hibernian's hopes of clinching a UEFA Cup place in a pulsating Bank of Scotland Premier League clash against Dundee United at Easter Road.

The experienced defender found himself in the right place at the right time to nod home from close range and keep Tony Mowbray's side on course for Europe - and ensure United remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

Dean Shiels and then Garry O'Connor had twice given the Edinburgh side the lead but Jim McIntyre and then Jason Scotland equalised for the Tannadice outfit before Smith's last-gasp winner.

In a dress rehearsal for next Saturday's Tennent's Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park, Hibs captain Ian Murray was sent off for foul and abusive language with seven minutes remaining.

The late goal was a real sickener for Dundee United caretaker-boss Gordon Chisholm, a former Hibs player, as he bids to lift the Tangerines off the bottom of the table.

United, for whom James Grady started in midfield due to the suspensions of club captain Derek McInnes and former Hibs favourite Grant Brebner, managed the first shot on goal when McIntyre spun cleverly in the box and arched a left-footed shot straight at Simon Brown after five minutes.

That sparked Hibs into life and some wonderful midfield play from Scott Brown almost saw Steven Fletcher - in for the banned Steven Whittaker - clean through on goal, but the winger was hauled back by the assistant referee's flag for offside.

Despite some excellent midfield prompting from Brown, Hibs were struggling to hit their straps early on and it was clear United were not going to crumble in the fashion they did against Kilmarnock in their last away game - which proved to be Ian McCall's last in charge.

Indeed, the visitors came close to opening the scoring on the quarter-hour mark when Barry Robson's left-wing cross was headed towards goal by Grady only for Gary Caldwell to clear off the line.

Hibs' best chance of the opening quarter arrived when Shiels robbed Mark Wilson with a fine tackle which sent the ball spinning to Derek Riordan, but the Scotland Under-21 striker pulled a weak shot wide of Tony Bullock's left-hand post.

Just before the half-hour mark Hibs should have gone ahead. Brown, a class apart in midfield, was again instrumental as he set O'Connor through on goal but the striker wastefully fired straight at Bullock.

Mowbray's side were now well on top with United offering only very sporadic threats. From one of those on 34, Wilson shot low towards the bottom-right corner but without enough power to cause Brown anxiety.

A minute later, the home side took the lead they had been threatening. Riordan did exceptionally well to pull the ball back from the by-line and his cross fell into the path of Shiels, who fired into the top of the net from 12 yards out.

It could have been 2-0 four minutes later when Hibs cut open the United defence and Stephen Glass curled a beautiful shot past Bullock but agonisingly onto the post.

The second half started in much the same way as the first had ended, with Hibs pressing for a second and United working hard but creating little.

Chisholm made his first switch on 60 minutes when he replaced Grady with Greg Cameron, who went into central midfield as United changed to a sweeper system in a bid to pack the middle of the park .

Three minutes later Mowbray reacted to that change as Sam Morrow came on for Riordan and seconds after the substitution United equalised when Wilson's inswinging corner was headed home by McIntyre.

On 68 minutes Kevin Thomson made his long-awaited return from his cruciate ligament injury when he replaced Fletcher and was greeted with a huge ovation from the Easter Road crowd.

Again, just after a substitution, a goal was scored but this time it was Hibs who were celebrating when O'Connor dismissed the challenge of young defender Garry Kenneth and lashed the ball home from a tight angle to restore his side's lead on 69 minutes.

With 13 minutes remaining former Hibs man Stevie Crawford - anonymous throughout - was taken off and Jason Scotland entered the fray.

Incredibly, for the third time, a goal immediately followed a substitution when Scotland made a sensational impact by bustling past Scotland defender Caldwell and side-footing home the equaliser on 77 from close range.

With seven minutes left Hibs captain Murray was sent off by John Underhill out of the blue for what must have been foul and abusive language.

But Hibs were not to be denied and Smith nodded home from four yards out after a goalmouth scramble to hand the home side the points in an incredible finale.

Teams

Hibernian Simon Brown, Smith, Caldwell, Ian Murray, Murphy, Fletcher (Thomson 67), Scott Brown, Glass, Shiels, O'Connor, Riordan (Morrow 63).

Subs Not Used: Alistair Brown, McCluskey, McDonald, Sproule, Konte.

Sent Off: Ian Murray (83).

Goals: Shiels 35, O'Connor 69, Smith 90.

Dundee Utd Bullock, Wilson, Archibald, Kenneth, Ritchie, Duff, Kerr, Robson, McIntyre, Grady (Cameron 60), Crawford (Scotland 76).

Subs Not Used: Colgan, Samuel, Dodds, Callaghan, Robertson.

Booked: Kenneth.

Goals: McIntyre 63, Scotland 77.

Att: 11,058

Ref: J Underhill (Scotland).