Hibernian skipper John Hughes salvaged a point with his first goal for the
club against Dundee United at Tannadice tonight.
United took a 73rd-minute lead with an Andy Dow own goal but Hughes headed an
equaliser from close range two minutes later.
The stalemate left Hibs four points adrift at the bottom of the Premier
Division with United in sixth place.
United dominated for long spells of the game and deservedly went ahead when an
Erik Pedersen free kick was headed over ex-Norwich keeper Bryan Gunn by Dow.
But new manager Alex McLeish will take heart from a fighting rearguard
performance which was rewarded with Hughes' point-saving equaliser.
The goal was a personal disaster for home keeper Sieb Dykstra who could only
push a Kevin Harper corner to ex-Tannadice favourite Brian Welsh.
His header was cleared off the line by Maurice Malpas but only as far as
Hughes, who made no mistake.
Gary McSwegan wasted a glorious opening to fire United ahead on the stroke of
halftime.
Maurice Malpas headed the ball forward and Robbie Winter's flick on sent the
ex-Rangers striker clean through on goal but from 14 yards he failed to hit the
target.
United made the early running but shots from McSwegan and Jean Jacques
Misse-Misse were deflected wide by Welsh.
Hibernian, who had only lost once at Tannadice since 1994, threatened in the
20th minute when Walker laid the ball back to Tony Rougier but his fierce effort
was blocked by Dave Bowman.
The ball came out to Steve Crawford and the ex-Millwall striker's 25-yard
effort was deflected for a corner.
On the half hour mark Gunn had his first save when Lars Zetterlund got in a
10-yard header from Bowman's free kick.
Hibs suffered a pre-match blow with Barry Lavety ruled out by injury. Andy
Walker replaced him and Brian Grant was given his first start of the season.
United brought on Scotland youth player Craig Easton at the start of the
second half in place of the ineffectual Misse-Misse.
McSwegan had another golden chance three minutes into the half. Zetterlund and
Winters set him up but he again failed to hit the target.
Teams
Dundee Utd: Dykstra, Bowman (Crawford 87), Malpas, Pressley,
Perry, Pedersen, Winters, Zetterlund, McSwegan (Omoyinimi 59),
Dolan, Misse-Misse (Easton 46).
Goals: Dow 73 og.
Hibernian: Gunn, Miller, Boco, Grant (Donald 63), Hughes, Welsh,
Harper, Dow, Crawford, Walker (Jackson 55), Rougier.
Subs Not Used: McQuilken.
Booked: Welsh.
Goals: Hughes 75.
Att: 7,989
Ref: G Simpson (Westhill).
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