Hibernian 2 Hearts 0

Hibernian ended city rivals Hearts 12-game unbeaten run in the Bank of Scotland Premier League in the most dramatic of afternoons at Easter Road.

A hard-fought game was goalless when Jambos striker Edgaras Jankauskas was sent off by referee John Underhill in the 62nd minute after pushing Hibs midfielder Scott Brown to the ground.

Ten-man Hearts struggled and a 78th-minute goal by Guillaume Beuzelin followed two minutes later by Garry O'Connor's strike put a dent in the league leaders' title hopes.

The Tynecastle men now lead second-placed Celtic by just three points with the Parkhead men having played one game less.

A frenetic game ensued from the first whistle with away skipper Steven Pressley needing attention for a head knock following a clash with Hibees midfielder Michael Stewart.

There followed a series of fouls all over the pitch as play raged from end to end.

Hibs striker Garry O'Connor headed a Scott Brown cross past the post from 12 yards in the ninth minute.

Four minutes later, Jambos' prolific midfielder Rudi Skacel's turn and shot from 20 yards had Hibs goalkeeper Zbigniew Malkowski diving to his left to save.

Skacel fired in a low 30-yard free-kick which was saved comfortably but, in the 19th minute, Hibs carved out a terrific chance after Stewart released Derek Riordan down the left-hand side in a classic counter-attack.

When the Hibs striker's pinpoint cross came over to the back post O'Connor just failed to turn it back on target from eight yards.

There was no let-up in the action and in the 25th minute, after some slack defensive work from the home side, Skacel exploded a shot from just inside the Hibs penalty area which Malkowski did well to block with his chest before the danger was finally diverted.

Hibs centre back Humphrey Rudge's poor touch at the edge of his own penalty area allowed Samuel Camazzola a free shot and the Brazilian's low drive went inches past.

On the half-hour mark, Hibs midfielder Kevin Thomson sent Riordan through against Pressley and the Easter Road striker fired wide from 16 yards after leaving the Scottish international trailing.

Moments later the Scotland striker skinned Hearts duo Robbie Nielson and Julien Brellier, again wide on the left, before firing over the bar from similar distance.

Hearts were looking stronger after the interval, but in the 56th minute Brellier, booked in the first half for a foul on Brown, was fortunate to escape another booking when he clearly handled the ball.

On the hour mark Skacel played in Paul Hartley but the Scotland midfielder's weak left-foot shot from 14 yards was easily saved by Malkowski.

John McGlynn, aware of Brellier's booking, replaced the Frenchman with Lee Wallace but the Jambos' caretaker boss soon had other worries when his side were reduced to 10 men in the 62nd minute.

Hearts striker Jankauskas was awarded a free-kick after being tackled by Brown on the halfway line, but the Lithuanian pushed the Hibs midfielder to the ground with both hands.

He was shown a second yellow card after being booked on the stroke of half-time.

The tempo went up another notch and Riordan was bundled to the ground just outside the Hearts penalty area by Camazzola before sending the resultant free-kick curling inches past the post.

The 10-man visitors were on the back foot but at first Hibs seemed to struggle to take advantage of the extra man.

However, in the 78th minute the home side got the breakthrough their pressure merited.

Substitute Ivan Sproule, who had come on for Stewart 11 minutes earlier, reached the bye-line, looked up and picked out Beuzelin at the near post and the Frenchman easily slotted the ball away off the far post.

The mayhem among the home fans had barely subsided when O'Connor doubled the Easter Road side's lead two minutes later with his 50th goal for the club.

Defender David Murphy chipped the ball into the Scottish international, who took a touch on his chest before driving low past Gordon from 10 yards out.

The Tynecastle men, stunned by the dramatic turnaround, lost their composure completely in the closing moments allowing the home fans to enjoy a derby day triumph.

Teams

Hibernian Malkowski, Caldwell, Hogg (Smith 51), Rudge, Murphy, Scott Brown, Beuzelin, Stewart (Sproule 67), Thomson, O'Connor, Riordan (Shiels 84).

Subs Not Used: Simon Brown, Fletcher, Glass, Morrow.

Goals: Beuzelin 78, O'Connor 80.

Hearts Gordon, Neilson, Pressley, Webster, Fyssas, Brellier (Wallace 61), Hartley, Camazzola, Pospisil (Elliot 83), Jankauskas, Skacel.

Subs Not Used: Banks, McAllister, Simmons, Mikoliunas, Tall.

Sent Off: Jankauskas (62).

Booked: Brellier, Fyssas, Jankauskas, Camazzola, Elliot.

Att: 17,180

Ref: J Underhill (Scotland).

Taken from the Scotsman