Hearts (1) 2 Hibernian (0) 1

Hearts' hegemony in Edinburgh continues after yet another hard-fought victory. Goals from Patrick Kisnorbo and Joe Hamill meant that Derek Riordan's sumptuous volley in the final minute counted for nothing.

The tone for a bruising encounter was set in the third minute when Riordan was cautioned for an unnecessary foul on Robbie Neilson.

Paul Hartley escaped censure for an even nastier challenge on Garry O'Connor because referee Mike McCurry was unsighted, but thereafter the match was pock-marked by stoppages as scores were settled and the battle for bragging rights intensified.

Fortunately, a football match occasionally threatened to break out. Riordan was inches away from opening the scoring with a free-kick which shaved Craig Gordon's right-hand post.

Just as the visitors appeared to be gaining the upper hand, though, Hearts broke the deadlock with a well-crafted goal. Hamill was the architect, turning Steven Whittaker before crossing to the far post where makeshift striker Kevin McKenna nodded it back across the six-yard box. Goalkeeper Simon Brown came for it but his weak punch fell to Kisnorbo, 15 yards out, and the Australian lashed the ball into the roof of the net.

It was a superb strike, quite out of keeping with most of the action either side of it. Ian Murray was fortunate not to be immediately punished for aiming a kick at McKenna but the SFA's video panel may take retrospective action.

McCurry had no option but to show Murray a yellow card in the 51st minute when his cynical professional foul on Hartley halted the midfielder's promising run on goal. The Hearts playmaker had earlier been booked for a lunge at Stephen Glass.

Dean Shiels ought to have equalised three minutes later when Andy Webster's misdirected headed pass back fell perfectly for him but, as Gordon advanced, his lob landed on the roof of the net. Gary Caldwell was then cautioned for a body-check on Graham Weir and Weir soon followed for pulling back Shiels.

Hibs were undoubtedly the more positive side but their inability to get behind their rivals' rearguard meant openings were scarce.

McKenna should have put the outcome beyond doubt midway through the second half, when Hamill's cross found him in isolation at the far post but, with the goal gaping, he headed into the side netting.

However, substitute Ramon Pereira made an immediate contribution, cutting the ball back for Hamill to sidefoot home.

Riordan's response from David Murphy's cross, exquisite though it was, was too little, too late.

Match details

Hearts (4-4-2): Gordon; Neilson, Pressley, Webster, Maybury; Stamp (Wyness h-t), Hartley, Kisnorbo, Hamill; McKenna (McAllister 77), Weir (Pereira 74) Subs: Moilanen (g), MacFarlane, Berra, Janczyk. Goals: Kisnorbo (15), Hamill (76). Booked: Hartley, Weir.

Hibernian (4-4-2): S Brown; Whittaker, Caldwell, Murray, Murphy; Fletcher (Dobbie 64), Beuzelin, Glass, Shiels; O'Connor, Riordan. Subs: A Brown (g), McCluskey, Orman, Rocastle, Shields, Venus. Goal: Riordan (89). Booked: Riordan, Murray, Caldwell.

Referee: M McCurry