Hibernian v Heart of Midlothian

Derby games are always nervous affairs and this one was no different; there was goals, a red card and nail biting moments, but at the end of the match at Easter Road Hearts were pleased to take a point from a hard fought 2-2 draw.

It was the old cliché of a game of two halves, Hearts could have scored three or four in the first half and Hibs could have done the same in the second.

Jim Jefferies made four changes to the side that defeated St Mirren two weeks ago at Tynecastle, Marion Kello missed out through injury so Jamie MacDonald was given a place in the starting line-up. David Obua and Rudi Skacel dropped to the bench and Adrian Mrowiec was suspended for the game. This paved the way for Andrew Driver, Ryan Stevenson and Ismael Bouzid to be in the starting line-up.

The game started with a fast flowing pace - both sides keen to make their mark on the match early. Derek Riordan came close to opening the scoring within the first two minutes when a long ball was played down the right - but his shot went wide of MacDonald's post.

Hearts were next to come close a couple minutes later when a ball in from Driver found the feet of Elliot but his shot was parried away by the Hibs keeper.

The first opening ten minutes were fast flowing and end to end, Hearts had a couple good chances when Bouzid played through Stephen Elliot both times, but the Hibs defence managed to clear the danger although on the second occasion it appeared Elliot was brought down by the Hibs defender and Hearts could have had a penalty.

Either side looked capable of opening the scoring, though the Jambos were starting to put more pressure on Hibs, and it was Hearts who came close in the 12th minute. Craig Thomson's corner in from the left bounced in front of goal and came off the chest of Stephen Elliott but unfortunately Mark Brown was right in front of him to pick the ball up on the line.

The deadlock was eventually broken by Hearts in the 22nd minute. Driver played a ball in from the left which Stephen Elliott flicked on to the feet of Ryan Stevenson, he was in space just inside the box and kept his cool to slot his shot low past Mark Brown and put the Jambos 1-0 up.

The game turned for Hearts in the 32nd minute when Ian Brines deemed Marius Zaliukus brought down Akpo Sodje in the box, Brines immediately pointed to the spot and showed Zaliukus a red card. Liam Miller stepped up to take the spot kick and subsequently equalised.

The game levelled out for the remainder of the first half but Hibs missed a great opportunity to take the lead on the stroke of half time. The ball came into the box to the head of Dickoh but his downward header bounced wide of the goal.

Hibs came close to taking the lead five minutes into the second half when the ball broke to Derek Riordan and he had two team mate sin support with only Jason Thomson to beat. The ball found its way to the middle of the park to Palsson, who only had MacDonald to beat, but he fired his shot over the bar.

The home side started the second half continuously attacking the Hearts goal and the Jambos defence was doing well to avert any danger and keep the score line level.

The pace of the second half was a lot slower and more settled than the first, Hibs had more of the possession, but Hearts were comfortably soaking up the danger and trying to attack on the break, though it was starting to show they had a player less on the park.

It was the home side who again came close to taking the lead in the second 45 when Sodje got the ball in the middle of the park, he played it out to Riordan on the left, but luckily for Hearts his powerful shot in was a good height for MacDonald who blocked his effort.

Fifteen minutes from time Hibs again looked likely to take the lead. Riordan got the ball out on the right off the box and he took Jamie MacDonald away from his goal, he played it back across the box where Sodje was waiting but Webster was there first to clear the ball away for what would have been a tap in for the Hibs striker.

In the 79th minute Hearts were unable to stand the constant pressure anymore and Hibs took the lead for the first time in the game. The ball was played through the middle of the park to Ricardo Vazte who found himself one on one with MacDonald and put the ball past him.

Though, as always in a derby, anything can happen and Hibs only had the lead for a couple of minutes. The ball went up the park to Andy Webster who headed the ball into the middle of the box and Stephen Elliott was on hand to smash it into the Hibs net from six yards out.

Two minutes from time Jamie MacDonald produced an excellent save to keep the score level. Vazte snatched at the ball from close range, but MacDonald reacted well and Craig Thomson cleared the danger.

Hibs had a brilliant chance to take all three points in injury time when Riordan got the ball in the left of the box, he had time to line his shot up but he hit it out for a throw in much to the delight of the travelling fans.

Hibs:Brown, Towell, Palsson (Wotherspoon, 69), Dickoh, Hanlon, Sodje, Riordan, Scott (Vazte,45), Miller (Murray, 81), Booth, Thornhill. Subs not used: Smith, Nish, Stephens, Stevenson, Vazte.

Hearts:MacDonald; Bouzid, Webster, Zaliukas,C Thomson; Driver (MCgowan, 71), Palazuelos, Black,Templeton (JThomson); Stevenson; Elliott. Subs not used: Balogh, Obua,Skacel,Glen, Robinson.

Referee: Iain Brines

Top man: Ryan Stevenson

Hearts World