Heart of Midlothian 1 Hibernian 0

Hearts took the spoils from the first Edinburgh derby of the season despite a strong second half showing from Hibernian.

After a forgettable first period lacking any quality from either side; Hibs returned to dominate after the break but were undone by a clinical finish on the counter attack from Calum Paterson 18 minutes from time.

Hibernian welcomed back Rowan Vine from suspension and he went straight into the starting XI replacing the injured Alex Harris.

The first 30 minutes were instantly forgettable and devoid of any real quality.

The only incident of note during this period came when the home side were dealt an early blow as Ryan Stevenson came off worst after an innocuous clash with Rowan Vine and had to be replaced by Jamie Walker.

The first attempt at goal in a dour encounter came in the 32nd minute when Vine shot straight into the grateful arms of Jamie MacDonald from Liam Craig's knock down.

Moments later Ben Williams had to expertly keep out a powerful free kick from Jamie Hamill after a clumsy challenge from Scott Robertson on Paterson gifted the home side a free kick on the edge of the Hibs box.

Two minutes later Craig brought out a save from MacDonald from a similar effort at the other end as the game started to open up.

With half time approaching both teams had chances from the edge of the box as Hamill and Kevin Thomson tested the goalkeepers, although neither effort caused Williams or MacDonald any problems.

There were more yellow cards than shots at goal during the first period as Vine, Robinson, Robertson, Fraser Mullen and Paterson were all cautioned.

Hibs replaced Mullen with Ryan McGivern at the interval and that meant a switch for Lewis Stevenson who lined up at right back for the second half.

The visitors made a good start to the with James Collins collecting a long ball into the Hearts penalty area before turning and firing a shot just wide of the far post.

On 52 minutes a marvellous long range drive from Hamill forced Williams into the save of the match as the big Englishmen used every inch of his huge frame to keep out the midfielder's net-bound effort.

Robertson then went close with a brave header after stooping to get to the ball ahead of Danny Wilson from a fine delivery from McGivern.

Robertson was involved again soon after when he set up Collins for a strike at goal after Hearts failed to clear their lines from a free kick.

The striker looked to curl a low effort into the far corner after threading the ball through a ruck of bodies in a packed penalty area, however his shot was just off target.

Hibs continued to look the most likely to force a breakthrough and Collins went close once again after a neat one-two with Vine however he was unable to work MacDonald.

Substitute Tom Taiwo should have made an immediate impact and given Hibs the lead when Craig picked him out with a delicious cross from the left, yet, with the goal at his mercy he somehow scooped the ball high over the crossbar from just six yards out.

Against the run of play Hearts took the lead when Dylan McGowan's cross into the front post was bulleted into the net by the head of Paterson.

The visitors attempted to hit back quickly and from a Craig corner kick, Michael Nelson headed back into the danger area only for Paul Hanlon to head over under pressure.

Still Hibs kept pushing and as the game entered the final ten minutes Vine latched onto a ball in behind but his snap shot was wide of the near post.

Yellow cards for Hamill, Craig and Kevin McHattie took the crime count to eight cautions as players continued to fully commit to every challenge.

The final chance fell to Hibs as Nelson headed wide from Craig's corner kick and Hearts held on to claim an unlikely three points.

Heart of Midlothian: MacDonald, McGowan, McKay, Wilson, McHattie, Smith (King 81'), Hamill, Robinson, Stevenson (Walker 13'), Holt, Paterson, Substitutes not used: Ridgers, Carrick, Tapping, Nicholson, McGhee.

Hibernian: Williams, Mullen (McGivern 46'), Nelson, Hanlon, Stevenson, Vine, Robertson (Taiwo 62'), Tudur-Jones (Stanton 75'), Thomson, Craig, Collins. Substitutes not used: Murdoch, Handling, Forster, Caldwell.

Referee: Craig Thomson.

Attendance: 16,621.