Hearts take derby honours in thriller

Shiels was also sent off in a bruising contest which saw referee Mike McCurry book six other players.

Forget the traditional pantomime season, Tynecastle was the place to be for a fun-filled, family day out. Oh yes it was.

There were talking points aplenty from both clubs before a ball had even been kicked in the Boxing Day derby.

Hibs skipper Kevin Thomson was missing from the squad despite now being free of suspension, while fellow 'contract rebel' Scott Brown was back in the first team after recovering from a mystery injury.

Both players have so far failed in attempts to renegotiate the new contracts they signed in March and are reportedly furious at club chiefs for rejecting a £3million bid from Charlton last week.

Not to be outdone, Hearts also raised eyebrows with their own team selection.

Captain and goalkeeper Craig Gordon was back between the sticks after being named on the bench for the weekend win at Dundee United, with the club claiming he was unwell before the game at Tannadice.

His omission came days after a disciplinary hearing for his part in the now infamous 'Riccarton Three' statement, which ultimately led to the departure of previous captain Steven Pressley.

Fellow Scotland international Robbie Neilson has also spoken out recently about his unhappiness at events behind the scenes at Tynecastle and was missing completely from the squad.

But there was no chance of off-field quarrels over-shadowing events on the field in an action-packed derby.

After Abdessalam Benjelloun had missed a first-minute sitter, Hearts took the lead less then two minutes into the game when Hartley met a Roman Bednar cross and stabbed home from a few yards out.

The home side were then forced to make a change after just eight minutes when Jose Goncalves was replaced by Lee Wallace after a knock.

Hibs could have drawn level when Michael Stewart's free-kick was met by Killen on the volley but Jambos goalkeeper Gordon did well to smother the effort.

Killen had the chance to make amends when he was released on goal by Stewart but the Hibs striker managed to fire wide of an empty net.

At the other end of the park, Hartley narrowly dodged what appeared to be a pie thrown from the Hibs end as he took a corner.

A blunder from Hibs goalkeeper Zbigniew Malkowski allowed Hearts to double their lead just four minutes into the second period.

Malkowski had been responsible for several high-profile mistakes this season and was at fault again when he spilled a Hartley free-kick, allowing Jankauskas to slot home the rebound from a few yards out.

But Hibs hauled themselves back into the game after 54 minutes when a Shiels corner found Killen in front of goal and he nodded home his 12th of the season.

The Easter Road side were then back on level terms six minutes later when the referee ruled Shiels was brought down in the box by Nerijus Barasa and immediately pointed to the penalty spot.

Shiels stepped up to comfortably slot home the pressure kick but the game came to an abrupt end for the Hibs youngster when he saw red seconds later.

He barged Gordon to the ground as he raced into the net to collect the ball and McCurry brandished the red card for violent conduct on the advice of his assistant.

Hearts were back in front with 20 minutes to go when Mikoliunas had the net bulging with a thunderous 25-yard drive, which left Malkowski with no chance.

With time running out, Hibs desperately tried to haul themselves back into the game.

But luck was not on their side as an effort from Steven Whittaker crashed off both posts as Hibs left Tynecastle empty-handed.