Two goals in the first seven minutes saw Dundee United and Hibernian share the points in a hard-fought match at Tannadice.

Mark Wilson grabbed his first goal for United from a corner in the third minute.

But the outstanding Ian Murray headed home an equaliser for the visitors just four minutes later.

Both sides had plenty chances to win the match but some woeful finishing and excellent goalkeeping ended any hopes of a win for either side.

United set out to re-group after their 4-1 hammering at Dunfermline in midweek.

Jim Paterson earned a recall to the side, along with promising youngster Stuart Duff.

Defender Jim Lauchlan missed out due to a hip injury, while striker Steven Thompson could only find a place on the bench after being placed on the transfer list this week.

Hibs kept faith with 10 of the players who came so close to an upset against Celtic in midweek.

Mixu Paatelainen returned to the team after injury to replace Derek Townsley up front.

United burst into action from the kick-off, with three shots cleared off the line in the opening exchange.

Derek Lilley's initial shot was parried by Colgan, with Hamilton and Easton's follow-ups blocked by the Hibs back-line.

United soon found the net however, winning a corner barely a minute later.

Paterson's curling effort met the advancing Wilson, who steered an unstoppable header through the crowded penalty box, opening his account for the club in the third minute of his 12th start.

But United did not hold their lead for long, with Hibs immediately countering.

Former United frontman Paatelainen gave Paul Gallacher a fright with a looping header in the sixth minute, earning a corner for the visitors.

Jarkko Wiss' first corner was blocked but a second effort was flicked on by Paul Fenwick, leaving Murray to nod an easy header for the equaliser.

Hibs won another corner with Wiss again teasing the United defence from an impressive in-swinger but Gallacher remained composed at the heart of the goalmouth, disposing of any danger.

Moments later, Paterson's corner worried the Hibs defence but Murray marshalled his team-mates well to clear.

But Paterson wasted the resulting corner.

Murray forced his way into the penalty area with a superb run in the 58th minute but, despite a series of heavy challenges, the Hibs captain opted to stay on his feet where an experienced striker may have looked for a penalty.

Hamilton again powered his way down the right wing, drawing three defenders towards him, before crossing for Lilley three yards out.

But, with the ball sitting up perfectly for the striker, Nick Colgan pulled out a wonderful save to keep Hibs in the game.

John O'Neil rifled a shot from 30 yards out in the 67th minute but, despite initially spilling the ball, Gallacher recovered in time with Paatelainen ready to pounce.

Paatelainen had another excellent chance to score from O'Neil's free-kick, but could only send the ball into the stand.

Scotland striker Thompson was booed onto the park by the home crowd but the substitute barely had time to make an impact on the match as the referee called time on a non-stop game with the honours even.

Teams:

Dundee Utd: Gallacher, Wilson, McCraken, Duff, McCunnie, Easton, Miller, McIntyre, Paterson (Cummings 71), Hamilton, Lilley (Thompson 89).

Subs Not Used: Combe, Smart, Carson.

Booked: Lilley, McCunnie, Hamilton.

Goals: Wilson 3.

Hibernian: Colgan, Smith, Fenwick, Zambernardi, Orman, Wiss, O'Neil (Townsley 88), Murray, James, McManus (Reid 81), Paatelainen.

Subs Not Used: Caig, Jack, Doumbe.

Booked: O'Neil, McManus.

Goals: Murray 7.

Att: 5,673

Ref: D McDonald (Scotland).