Classic Match: Hearts 2, Hibs 1: April 1, 1989

TRANSFER-SEEKING Steve Archibald was left out of a Hibs team that included £300,000 newcomer Keith Houchen, from Coventry City.
Hearts were without the suspended Dave McPherson, Walter Kidd and Alan McLaren and Jimmy Sandison was drafted into defence.

Hearts played with three at the back, Sandison joining forces with Neil Berry and Craig Levein to form the Hearts rearguard .

But they were unable to prevent Hibs taking the lead in 25 minutes when Neil Orr sent over a perfect free-kick for Houchen to head superbly past Henry Smith for a debut goal.

Mike Galloway, playing in attack, had two unsuccessfulattempts to equalise before Hearts drew level just four minutes later.

An Ian Ferguson free-kick rebounded from the defensive wall to Eamonn Bannon, who cracked a low right footer into the net.

Houchen then provided a glorious pass for Eddie May only to find the youngster spoil an obvious chance – even though he had two shots at the ball.

After the interval, Galloway had a fine chance to bother Hibs from a Ferguson free-kick but, instead of shooting, he squared the ball to Kenny Black whose effort was deflected wide.

The Jambos were beginning to control the game and Ferguson nudged a shot just over the bar after Gary Mackay had played him in with a clever pass.

Yet Hibs almost hit their opponents on the counter when May came close to benefiting from a defensive slip only for Smith to save well at his feet.

With 25 minutes remaining Hearts goalscoring legend John Robertson replaced Galloway and it proved a shrewd move by the home side.

Within minutes, Robbo supplied a good pass for Ferguson but he blazed his effort wildly over the crossbar when he should have done better.

But with only 14 minutes of the clash remaining the Hearts supporters in the 22,000 crowd went wild with delight as their side grabbed what proved to be the winning goal.

Robertson missed a cross from Mackay but Mitchell blundered in defence for Hibs and laid the ball back in front of the grateful Tynecastle striker who smashed the ball into the net for only his third goal of the season.

Hibs were helpless to make any recovery bid and Hearts earned the points for their second-half superiority.

Hearts: Smith, Sandison, McKinlay, Levein, Berry, Black, Colquhoun, Mackay, Galloway, Ferguson, Bannon.

Subs: Robertson, Jardine.

Hibs: Goram, Hunter, Sneddon, May, Rae, Mitchell, Orr, Houchen, Kane, Collins, Evans.

Subs: Tortolano, McCluskey.

Taken from the Scotsman