Hibernian 1 Hearts 1

By Chris Roberts, PA Sport

Gary McSwegan stole the show from Russel Latapy as his late goal gave Hearts a share of the points in the Edinburgh derby clash at Easter Road.

Latapy celebrated his one-year contract extension with a 42nd minute penalty that looked to have given Alex McLeish victory in his first Edinburgh derby.

But Hearts were rewarded for a spirited second half display as McSwegan's back header somehow found the net.

Hibs should have been in front before their penalty as Dirk Lehmann squandered a great chance.

Lehmann lashed a shot just past Gilles Rousset's post when put in by Latapy on the edge of the area.

In the 14th minute Hearts produced their first real threat on the Hibs goal but Stephane Adam lashed just wide inside the box from Colin Cameron's pass.

Hibs squandered another chance in the 27th minute as Latapy was given a great opportunity after a superb one-two with Lehmann. However the Trinidadian shot straight at Rousset and a chance went begging.

In the 30th minute Fabrice Henry shot high over the crossbar after link up play with the busy Latapy. In the 40th minute Hearts came close to taking the lead as Flogel's snapshot was saved by Gottskalksson and Adam was inches from putting in the rebound.

However, Hibs got their just reward when Latapy fired home from the spot after Cameron was adjudged to have fouled Lehmann.

After the restart Hearts keeper Rousset was nearly embarrassed as he almost got caught out from the bounce of Henry's long-range effort.

In the 56th minute the referee waved away protests from Hearts as Steve Fulton went down in the area as the pressure was beginning to affect the Hibernian defence.

However, in the 57th minute Henry was inches away from giving his side a two-goal advantage but his shot from the edge of the area flashed just past the post.

Moments later the same player was again involved but this time saw his shot fly over after good work from Latapy on the right.

Hearts thought they had grabbed the equaliser in the 76th minute but Gottskalksson made an amazing fingertip save from Pressley's point blank backwards header.

In the 78th minute the Finnish keeper made an equally brilliant stop to deny Flogel. But the pressure paid and Hearts got their just rewards in the 81st minute when McSwegan's backward header from Flogel's flick-on squeezed between Gottskalksson and his left-hand post.

With six minutes left Darren Jackson had the chance to clinch the point for Jim Jefferies side but he blazed just wide but a Hearts victory would have been an unfair result on Hibs.

Teams

Hibernian: Gottskalksson, Renwick, Lovering, Sauzee (Hartley 45), Dennis, Latapy, McGinlay, Henry (Miller 83), Jack, Lehmann (Paatelainen 76), Skinner.

Subs Not Used: Colgan, Bottiglieri.

Booked: Henry, Skinner, Lovering, Renwick.

Goals: Latapy 42 pen.

Hearts: Rousset, Pressley, James, Ritchie, McSwegan, Fulton, Adam (Carricomdo 67), Cameron, Jackson, Flogel, Severin.

Subs Not Used: McKenzie, Naysmith, Locke, Makel.

Booked: Jackson, Fulton, Cameron, McSwegan.

Goals: McSwegan 79.

Att: 16,976

Ref: Stuart Dougal (Scotland).


Taken from sportinglife.com