Dundee United boss Tommy McLean was very disappointed with his side's 1-1 draw against Hibernian and their inability to hold on to a lead for the third game in succession.

He said: "We have lost a lead in all of those games and that is unacceptable. We seem to get in front and then freeze."

But McLean admitted he has serious problems for Saturday's Tayside derby clash with St Johnstone at Perth.

Top scorer Kjell Olofsson is ruled out for at least a month following a cartilage operation while defender Magnus Skoldmark and midfielder Siggi Jonsson broke down in training prior to tonight's game.

To make matters worse striker Gary McSwegan limped off near the end with a hamstring injury.

Hibernian skipper John Hughes grabbed his first goal for the club against United and then vowed not to let team-mate Brian Welsh take it off him.

Hughes headed a 75th-minute equaliser for bottom-of-the-table Hibs after United had taken the lead two minutes earlier with an Andy Dow own goal at Tannadice.

Welsh's header from a Kevin Harper corner was cleared off the line by Maurice Malpas only for Hughes to head home from the rebound.

Welsh felt the ball was over the line before Malpas cleared but afterwards Hughes was having none of it.

He said: "Brian Welsh is claiming it but take it as read he has no chance.

"It was my first goal for the club and happily it earned us something from what was a real battle."

Hibs are four points adrift at the bottom of the Premier Division but Hughes insists there is new found determination in the ranks since Alex McLeish took over.

"The difference at the club right now is that we are more solid at the back and there is no way that we are giving up on anything," he said.

McLeish was happy with his side's commitment, saying: "We showed it even in defeat against Rangers last weekend and it carried over to this game.

"It gives us something to build on for this week's clash with Celtic".