Hearts 2-4 Hibs

It would be an accurate statement to say that Tynecastle was not as full as last night, when the Jambos memorably booked their place in next season's UEFA Cup. Nevetheless there was a wee bit of noise as we got underway, and games between Hearts and Hibs never need any extra ammunition to enliven them, with city pride at stake.

A languid beginning was enlivened after ten minutes when the impressive Sean Mackle seized on a loose ball and fed Shaun Kelly down the right channel. His cross found its way to Eggert Jonsson on the edge of the box, who volleyed just over. The pressure was compounded shortly afterwards with a Hearts corner that fell to the back post, only for Hibs keeper McNeil to break the danger with a well-timed smother.

Hearts' young Australian midfielder Matthew Park contributed an outrageous piece of skill after fifteen minutes, taking the ball on his chest some 35 yards out and dipping a wicked volley at goal. McNeil was well and truly taken out of the equation, watching with some relief as it nestled onto the top of the net, rather than the back of it. At the other end, the Hearts defence stopped in anticipation of a handball being given; when it wasn't, young Ross Campbell of Hibs fired a cracking effort just wide of Jamie MacDonald's right-hand post.

Immediately after this Hearts took the lead - a brilliant header from Alan Lithgow on the edge of the box looped over McNeil for a deserved advantage. Hibs settled a bit better after this, but all their slight advantage in possession yielded was a reasonably good chance for Damon Gray, who sliced a crossed ball wide from six yards, when the goal gaped open in front of him. Hearts continued to concentrate their efforts on teasing and tormenting an alarmingly immobile Hibernian back four.

Jamie Mole celebrates his goal

The one area where Hibs were not immobile was up front, and this showed when they equalised after 32 minutes. Ryan Pow drove forward and, in the absence of any real challenge from a maroon shirt, rifled a low shot past MacDonald. Football can change in an instant, as it had here, with Damon Gray then forcing two great saves from MacDonald within the space of a minute. The seemingly effortless control Hearts had been exerting on the game had evaporated. Patrick Mailey, the imposing Hibs midfielder, contrived to send a header wide from eight yards out when, yet again, the target was right in front of him.

Right before half time Glen and Sives got in the way of each other when Hibs failed to clear a corner. They were both onside, both with just the keeper to beat, but neither of them jumped out of the way and the only thing that escaped to safety was the ball. Hearts were made to pay for this on 45 minutes when the defence was drawn to the ball and Ross Campbell slotted home - a cool, calm finish.

The second period began as its predecessor had ended, with Hibs right-back Darren Smith bursting down his flank and whipping in a delicious cross which thankfully managed to evade everyone, and roll away to safety. Hearts should have levelled when John Neill was sent away down the left flank but his inviting delivery across the six-yard box was too quick for the onrushing Gary Glen to make proper contact.

Damon Gray registered his side's first effort on target as we neared an hour mark - his snap shot strike didn't trouble MacDonald however. His opposite number McNeil was troubled when Sean Mackle's measured free-kick was glanced onto the post by Sives. Close, but no cigar.

Sean Lynch was even closer when he seized upon some hesitant defending to find himself almost clean through on goal. Hearts recovered from the initial error to force the ball over, only to concede a penalty from the resulting corner. No one quite knew what it was for, until referee Mr Chalmers indicated a tug had taken place. Not to worry though, because Sean Lynch smacked his spot kick well wide of the post. The distraught wee laddie was substituted immediately afterwards.

Jamie MacDonald's fine game was marred by one costly mistake

Jamie Mole was introduced with 20 minutes remaining, to inject some steel into the Hearts attack. That he duly did, because the mop-haired striker equalised with practically his first touch. A long ball looked to have nothing going for it until Mole bustled in between the two centre backs and rifled an excellent volley from outside the box straight past McNeil.

It was no less than the home side deserved but Hibs restored their lead straight after. Smith's lobbed cross wasn't dealt with by MacDonald and Damon Gray headed over the stranded keeper. It was cruel on MacDonald, who had made a string of fine saves during the game, and time was now beginning to run out.

Hearts moved forward in a bid to level but were further pegged back when they conceded another penalty, Sives handling Murray's free-kick. Ross Chisholm's penalty was excellent and gave MacDonald no chance. It was all over - a result that was a wee bit harsh on the hosts, to say the least.

Hearts: MacDonald; Kelly, Paul MacDonald (Hamilton, 60), Lithgow, Sives, Jonsson, Mackle, Neill, McCusker (Mole, 70), Glen (Mearns, 88), Park. Subs not used: Mole, Paterson, Barjaktarevic (GK).

Hibs: McNeil; Smith, Stevenson, Murray, Mailey, McCaffray, Lynch (Chisholm, 68), Ayres (Weightman, 73), Campbell, Gray, Pow. Subs not used: Bryson, Curtis (GK).

Top Man: John Neill