Classic Match: Hibs 1, Hearts 4: January 2, 1991

Hearts were two up in just 14 minutes, but the home side fought bravely and should have had two goals in the first half by which time they were trailing 3-0.

And their inability to convert their chances when they came along ultimately proved very costly for the home side.

"I couldn't believe the half-time score," said Hibs manager Alex Miller.

"We made a lot of chances but gave away poor goals.

But nobody could fault the players for effort."

Scotland boss Andy Roxburgh was among the 13,600 spectators and he would not have been impressed by Andy Goram's attempt to head the ball clear before the third goal.

A speculative lob from Tosh McKinlay hung badly in the wind and failed to reach the penalty area so Goram, who had intended to punch, tried to retrieve the situation by heading the ball to safety.

However, it went no further than Gary Mackay, who drilled a low shot into the empty net with three minutes of the half left to put his side on easy street.

Hearts had enjoyed a glory start to the clash in eight minutes.

A corner from John Colquhoun was cleared to McKinlay 35-yards out and his powerful left footer passed through Willie Miller's legs to beat the unsighted Goram at his left-hand corner.

Four minutes later, a close-range effort from defender Dave McPherson was deflected into the opposite corner of Andy Goram's net.

Meanwhile, Hibs had not been idle and, after a slick move with Brian Hamilton, Paul Kane was pipped for the final touch by Mackay, who was credited with an own goal after 68 minutes as his touch beat Henry Smith in goal.

If Hibs visualised a stunning comeback their dream lasted only two minutes as Craig Levein lashed in the fourth after Keith Houchen and Murdo MacLeod challenged each other for the same ball teeing him up perfectly.

And Jambos manager Joe Jordan couldn't be anything other than delighted with the efforts of his players.

"There were a lot of chances in the game and we took ours while Hibs didn't," said Jordan afterwards.

"I thought we played well and thoroughly deserved our victory.

We worked hard for the win and the players got what they deserved from the match."

Hibs: Goram, Miller, Milne, Kane, Mitchell, MacLeod, Lennon, Wright, Findlay, Hamilton, McGinlay.

Subs: Tortolano, Hunter.

Hearts: Smith, Sandison, McKinlay, Levein, Mackay, McPherson, Colquhoun, Berry, Crabbe, Ferguson, Robertson.

Subs: Foster, McLaren.

Taken from the Scotsman