A stunning Hibernian comeback at Tynecastle prevented Edinburgh rivals Hearts
from toppling Rangers from the head of the Premier Division this afternoon.
Hearts led 2-0 within the first 10 minutes thanks to a Steve Fulton double,
but bottom club Hibs showed the kind of fight they have sorely lacked in recent
months to restore parity.
Sheffield United loan star Andy Walker did his prospects of a longer deal no
harm with a 51st minute header and 16 minutes later Hibernian were level, Pat
McGinlay turning in Andy Dow's cross to silence the home support.
It is a result which will do much for the job prospects of manager Jim Duffy,
whose team may now be 15 games without a win, but will have had their spirits
lifted.
Hearts welcomed back Neil McCann from a muscle strain and also recalled
veteran John Robertson, who has made scoring in the capital derby a habit, while
Hibs gave Shaun Dennis his first start since February after a serious knee
injury.
The blustery conditions called for a whirlwind start and that is precisely
what Hearts produced.
A loose pass from Chris Jackson set up Hearts for their first chance after
just four minutes, Stephane Adam taking the ball and forcing Chris Reid into an
early save.
It proved a taste of things to come, as within two minutes Hearts were ahead
following a superb move instigated by Robertson, who held possession well on the
edge of the area.
He fed McCann, who lifted the ball towards Fulton and his intelligent, looping
header caught Reid stranded off his line.
After 10 minutes the lead and Fulton's personal tally doubled, the midfielder
drilling past Reid following an exchange of passes with Robertson.
It was almost three after 14 minutes, as an unmarked Colin Cameron slid in at
the far post to turn over another precise McCann cross with Hibernian's back
line in turmoil.
Hibernian's first response was a freekick from Dow which curled just wide
after 20 minutes.
Hearts keeper Gilles Rousset made his first save in the visitors' next attack,
when he was alert to Steve Crawford's clever flick goalwards.
A long goalkick from Rousset caught the wind after 36 minutes to present
McCann with an opportunity he lifted just over after chipping Reid.
Although Hibernian were recovering their composure as the first-half
progressed, Hearts missed a clear chance to put the match beyond doubt just
before the break.
Robertson fired a low freekick into the six-yard box, only for Frenchman Adam
to fail to connect properly and enable a grateful Reid to gather at his feet.
It was to prove costly, since Hibernian emerged after the restart knowing they
needed an early boost - and, courtesy of uncertain keeping from Rousset, they
soon halved the deficit.
Kevin Harper made ground on the right, but Rousset left the cross to
hisdefenders, they to him and Walker pounced with a simple header.
On the hour Walker was grateful for the offside flag after putting wide what
looked a clear opening following more fine skill by Harper.
Rousset made some amends with a neat save from Walker's glancing header off
Dow's cross, but after 67 minutes McGinlay beat him to make it all square
against all the odds.
Hearts were not finished, though, and Robertson might easily have restored
their lead, only to miskick when well-placed after 77 minutes.
Five minutes later Reid needed to be at his best to scramble away a Weir
header as Hearts looked to repair the damage - but it was too little too late.
Teams:
Hearts: Rousset, Locke, Pointon (Flogel 75), Weir, Salvatori,
Ritchie, McCann (Hamilton 85), Fulton, Robertson, Cameron, Adam.
Subs Not Used: Frail.
Goals: Fulton 6, 10.
Hibernian: Reid, W. Miller, Boco (Rougier 86), Dods, Dennis, Dow,
Harper, Jackson, Crawford, Walker (K. Miller 74), McGinlay.
Subs Not Used: Charnley.
Booked: Dennis, Jackson, Walker.
Goals: Walker 51, McGinlay 67.
Att: 17,564
Ref: B Tait (East Kilbride).
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