A Kjell Olofsson double proved Hibernian's downfall as Dundee United consigned
the Edinburgh outfit to the Scottish League First Division at Easter Road.
Hibernian needed to win to preserve their Premier Division status and were
given hope through Grant Brebner's 31st-minute opener - but the tide turned.
Two goals within seven second-half minutes by Olofsson exposed uncertain
defending and brought an end to Hibernian's encouraging rebirth under new
manager Alex McLeish.
Without Kevin Harper and Brian Welsh through injury, Hibernian were below full
strength but showed impressive resolve as they pressed from the outset.
United, with Steven Pressley back after a foot injury for suspended Erik
Pedersen, were forced at first to adopt a negative holding game, waiting for the
breaks that came their way later.
After a cautious opening, the first chance fell to Steve Crawford after 11
minutes, but he snatched at a break of the ball, sending a close-range shot just
wide.
United's response was immediate and a contender for one of the misses of the
season as Olofsson squared the ball for Lars Zetterlund, who screwed his effort
badly wide of the open goal.
That let-off inspired Hibernian with the thought it could their afternoon, and
Brebner went close after 22 minutes after being fed by Crawford.
After 29 minutes, Barry Lavety created a chance for himself by teeing up the
ball to volley a 20-yard strike that Sieb Dykstra did superbly to beat away.
The goal followed in Hibernian's next attack and was expertly worked, with
Crawford insigating the move by finding Pat McGinlay in space on the right. His
low cross was met by a stooping header from Brebner for the on-loan Manchester
United midfielder's first goal for the club he supported as a youngster.
It was fitting he should have been the scorer having put the ball into his own
net at Dunfermline on April 18 in a 1-1 draw he thought at the time could have
consigned his team to relegation.
Seven minutes before the interval, Zetterlund sent a dipping drive narrowly
over the crossbar as a warning Hibernian would need to build on their lead.
A further sign was unheeded after 47 minutes when Gary McSwegan was given time
and space to send in a low drive well gathered by Gunn low to his left.
Justin Skinner limped off after 57 minutes with Andy Dow replacing him, but
Hibernian lost no initial momentum and continued to hold possession well.
But they lacked the final pass and their failure to create chances, coupled
with their tendency to lose concentration at the back, proved crucial.
After 72 minutes, Willie Miller's failure to clear enabled McSwegan to reach
the byline and his low cross was swept in by Olofsson for the Swede's first
goal.
It prompted silence among the home crowd, who recognised their side would
struggle to score again and within minutes their fate was sealed.
Zetterlund's seemingly innocous ball was allowed to reach Olofsson and his
header was fumbled by Gunn and allowed to find its way into the back of the net
after 78 minutes.
Hibernian were finished, but to their supporters' credit they were willed on
to the end.
Teams:
Hibernian: Gunn, Miller, Elliot, Brebner, Hughes, Dods,
Skinner (Dow 56), Rougier (Tosh 80), Crawford, Lavety, McGinlay.
Subs Not Used: Renwick.
Goals: Brebner 31.
Dundee Utd: Dykstra, Jenkins, Malpas, Pressley, Jonsson, Bowman,
Olofsson, Zetterlund (Sinclair 88), McSwegan, Dolan (Easton 52),
McKinnon (McLaren 45).
Booked: McKinnon, Easton.
Goals: Olofsson 72, 78.
Att: 13,413
Ref: G Clyde (Bearsden).
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