Neil McCann secured a vital point for Rangers as they extended their lead at the top of the Premier League.

The Scotland winger, who used to ply his trade across Edinburgh at Hearts, pulled them level with nine minutes to go.

McCann linked up with Barry Ferguson to put Rangers back in the game for the second time and take them ten points clear of Old Firm rivals Celtic.

It was a huge blow for a Hibs side and Kenny Miller in particular. The 20-year-old striker, who signed a long- term deal last month, scored twice and showed immense potential.

With Celtic losing on Saturday, Rangers were anxious to put more daylight between themselves and their Glasgow rivals.

But it was Hibs who broke away inside the first minute when Grant Brebner picked out Miller with a good through ball.

The young striker made headway only to lose control, claiming he had been held back by Rangers skipper Lorenzo Amoruso.

Referee Mike McCurry waved play on but that attack helped spur a lively start to a match being played in difficult conditions.

Home keeper Nick Colgan was tested for the first time in the third minute by getting his body behind a fierce shot from Andrei Kanchelskis.

Rangers stormed forward again minutes later when Barry Ferguson released Tony Vidmar.

The Australian defender's shot was safely gathered by Colgan at the near post while striker Billy Dodds waited in vain in the middle.

Hibs found themselves under increasing pressure and Rangers came within inches of taking the lead after ten minutes.

Kanchelskis laid the ball back into the path of Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his 20-yard shot was sweetly struck.

However, Colgan got the slightest of touches to the Dutchman's effort but enough to turn it onto the post.

Hibs, however, began to settle into the game and showed the confidence that comes with being undefeated in five matches.

Derek Collins picked out Miller and he scampered away from Amoruso only to over-hit his cross.

Then in the 20th minute Miller set up Brebner but he snatched at his shot and sent it wide of the target.

Both sides were finding it difficult to string more than a couple of passes together as half-time approached.

But Rangers looked threatening five minutes before the break when Kanchelskis delivered a long looping cross from the left.

Van Bronckhorst took it first time but skied his shot high into the crowd as the home fans showed their delight.

Hibs dramatically took the lead four minutes after the break following a wonderful finish from Miller.

Ian Murray played in a fine cross that was headed goalwards by Mixu Paatelainen.

Rangers defender Craig Moore cleared it but only as far as Miller who rifled a 12-yard shot beyond Stefan Klos.

But Hibs' lead lasted only seven minutes with Rod Wallace bringing Rangers back into the match.

Moore delivered a glorious crossfield pass to McCann, who had replaced Dodds at half-time.

The Scotland winger's delivery deceived a static Hibs defence and Wallace stooped to head the ball home and make it 1-1.

Paatelainen had put in a solid shift and was replaced by Dirk Lehmann in the 67th minute as manager Alex McLeish decided to freshen things up.

Rangers were rocked again a minute later when Miller scored his second goal of the game.

It came after a rare mistake by Arthur Numan, who was short with a pass back to Klos.

Miller showed great awareness to seize his chance and flick the ball wide of the German keeper as Numan tried unsuccessfully to make up ground.

Rangers drew level with nine minutes remaining after a one-two between McCann and Wallace which split the Hibs defence.

McCann's shot did not appear to carry that much weight but Colgan could only deflect it over the line.

Teams:

Hibernian: Colgan, Collins, Hughes, Jack, Smith, Murray (McGinlay 88), Brebner, Sauzee, Latapy, Paatelainen (Lehmann 67), Miller.

Subs Not Used: Gottskalksson, Hartley, Lovell.

Goals: Miller 49, 68.

Rangers: Klos, Vidmar (Reyna 70), Moore, Amoruso, Numan, Kanchelskis, Ferguson, Van Bronckhorst, Albertz, Dodds (McCann 46), Wallace.

Subs Not Used: Charbonnier, Tugay, Carson.

Booked: Moore.

Goals: Wallace 56, McCann 81.

Att: 9,837

Ref: Michael McCurry (Scotland).