Hibernian 1 Heart Of Midlothian 1

Last updated : 02 January 2005 By Footymad Previewer
Paul Hartley returned to his former club to give Hearts a share of the spoils after a pulsating Edinburgh derby.

Hartley equalised a first-half goal from Derek Riordan to give his side a point but they had to survive a late onslaught.

Sam Morrow and Garry O'Connor were both guilty of passing up late chances as Hearts held on for the point.

It was the home side who looked the livelier in the early exchanges, winning three quick corners that came to nothing.

Hearts had a narrow escape after six minutes when Alan Maybury's passback was underhit and Craig Gordon had to get out swiftly to block Dean Shiels' shot before the ball broke to Stephen Glass at the back post. But Gordon recovered well to save the midfield player's shot.

But Hearts came more into things as the first half wore on and Simon Brown almost gifted them the opening goal in the 19th minute.

He misjudged a long free-kick from Andy Webster, but recovered at the last moment to clutch the ball under his crossbar as it threatened to squeeze into the net.

The goalkeeper looked uncertain at times but he was well protected by Ian Murray and Gary Caldwell in front of him.

It was Murray who made a timely intervention to prevent Webster from taking advantage when Mark de Vries headed a Hartley free-kick back across goal.

Hibs moved in front after 24 minutes with a goal that Hearts will see as avoidable.

Maybury put Hartley under needless pressure with an ill-judged pass out of defence and when the midfielder lost possession, Hearts knew they were in deep trouble.

Garry O'Connor's shot was misguided, but the ball struck Shiels before arriving conveniently at Riordan's feet and he swept the ball past Gordon.

O'Connor set up a shooting chance for Alen Orman eight minutes later but he tugged his shot well wide from just outside the area.

Hearts had a chance six minutes from the break when Orman lost possession but Phil Stamp's shot was straight at Brown.

The goalkeeper spilled the ball but recovered to grab it before any Hearts player could take advantage.

Hearts squandered a great chance to get level five minutes into the second half when Hartley had a free header six yards out from a Graham Weir cross but sent his effort over the crossbar.

O'Connor had a chance at the other end after a fine pass from substitute Morrow but he blazed his effort over the top.

Hearts equalised moments in the 55th minute with a well-worked goal. Robbie Neilson fed Weir whose flick was stabbed home by Hartley at the near post.

In their next attack, a head flick from Webster beat Brown, but the ball came back off the goalkeeper's right-hand post.

Hibs responded and Morrow should have scored when he had a free header from a Riordan cross but Gordon pulled off an inspired save.

Morrow missed another opening late on when he sliced another Riordan cross wide from just five yards.

O'Connor also missed a chance in the closing minutes as Hibs went all out for the victory.