NERVES played a massive part in a drab and uninspiring first half but, after the interval, the final derby of the season turned into a rip-roaring affair as the match see-sawed one way and then the other.
Hibs striker Barry Lavety, back after a two-match suspension, claimed the game's first goal in the 56th minute, cutting inside Gary Naysmith and Paul Ritchie before unleashing a terrific shot which flew into the net.
But John Robertson, so often
the hammer of Hibs, stepped off the bench to claim his 27th derby goal with his very first touch of the ball, curling home a glorious 72nd minute free kick.
Hibs rode their luck, with Darren Dods taking a Neil McCann shot off the line, before roaring back to snatch the winner in the 80th minute.
Kevin Harper set off on a superb run and capped it with a shot from the 18-yard line which sped past the helpless Gilles Rousset.
Even then Hearts didn't admit defeat and Willie Miller came from nowhere to nod a Steve Fulton header off the line.
As the match wore into injury time, the Hibs fans called desperately for the final whistle and when referee Willie Young eventually sounded it they took that as a signal for wild celebrations.
But, as they celebrated, the distraught Hearts fans streamed out of Easter Road many of them in tears, knowing that their title dream had been ended at the cruellest of venues – the home of their arch rivals.
Hibs boss Alex McLeish, facing his first Edinburgh derby, returned skipper John Hughes and striker Lavety to the team after suspension, to the surprise exclusion of Jimmy Boco, while Paul Tosh also dropped out.
Harper, as expected, was declared fit, but he could only find a seat on the bench.
Hearts manager Jim Jefferies brought back flu victim Ritchie into the centre of his defence with Dave McPherson dropping into a substitute's role, while Colin Cameron was also back in the starting line-up as Lee Makel found no part to play in the final derby of the season.
McLeish almost played his part in giving Hibs the lead in the 22nd minute. Naysmith put in another good tackle on Tony Rougier but wasted it by sending the ball out of play.
McLeish grabbed it and quickly threw it to Miller, who tossed the ball over the young full-back's head to the waiting Rougier. He fired in a dangerous cross, but Rousset grabbed it before Lavety could cash in.
Pat McGinlay was in the thick of the action, and he latched on to a Stevie Crawford knockdown only to send a shot well wide before Hibs keeper Brian Gunn fumbled a free kick from Fulton. Dods, who was playing at left-back, coming to Gunn's rescue with a thumping clearance.
Hibs began the second half in the manner in which they started the first – on the attack. McGinlay fed Miller down the line, but his cross was cut out by David Weir.
Neither goalkeeper had been seriously tested, but Gunn had to look alert as Fulton met a headed clearance from Hughes first time from 30 yards out only to fire his shot straight back at the keeper.
Stephane Adam squandered a glorious chance to put Hearts ahead in the 54th minute, lashing the ball high over the bar after Gunn pushed the ball into his path. Hearts paid for that miss when Hibs took the lead with a glorious strike from Lavety.
Hearts went for broke in the 68th minute with a triple substitution, McPherson, John Robertson and Jose Quitongo replacing Murray, Salvatori and Adam.
And, within two minutes, their brave gamble paid off as Robertson claimed his goal.
Grant Brebner was penalised for a challenge 25 yards out and Robbo stepped up to curl home a superb right foot shot.
Hibs might have had a penalty when McPherson climbed over the back of Crawford, but any complaints about the award not being given were forgotten as Harper fired Hibs back into the lead with another wonder strike.
The full article contains 692 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
