Hibernian v Dundee Utd

FT 90 +5
HT 0-0

Highlights - Hibernian 0-2 Dundee Utd

Dundee United left Easter Road with three Scottish Premier League points as Hibernian sustained a second straight defeat in the capital.

Hibs' Leigh Griffiths was denied by the post before United captain Jon Daly tested goalkeeper Graham Stack with a header.

Johnny Russell fired the visitors ahead midway through the second half.

And the impressive Gary Mackay-Steven claimed United's second with a shot that squeezed past Stack.

Fourth-place United remain ahead of St Johnstone on goal difference while Hibs' advantage over bottom club Dunfermline is reduced to three points.

An early United corner led to a chance for Gavin Gunning, but the defender's shot was straight at Stack.

Hibs came close in the 10th minute when Griffiths met George Francomb's corner and rattled the post with a powerful drive.

Another United set piece, this time a free-kick, caused Hibs problems as Daly rose to meet Paul Dixon's delivery and Stack palmed the ball to safety.

However, the first half did not continue in the same vein with few further openings before the interval.

The visitors started the second period on top and Mackay-Steven crossed for Daly, who looked well placed to score, but the striker did not connect with his head.

At the other end, Gunning was relieved to see his sliced clearance trundle past the United goal.

Mackay-Steven's deflected shot moments later bounced just past the post and the winger then forced Stack into a save as United tried to capitalise on uncertain Hibs defending.

The threat of Mackay-Steven continued to cause Hibs problems and the former Airdrie player skilfully escaped three defenders before lifting a shot over.

A crucial intervention by goalkeeper Dusan Pernis prevented Griffiths getting away a shot as the hosts tried to re-assert themselves.

Peter Houston's side got the goal their pressure merited on 66 minutes, Russell converting a rebound after John Rankin's initial shot had been saved by Stack.

Mackay-Steven netted the second in the 73rd minute, although Stack will be disappointed not to have saved the shot from the edge of the box.

Substitute Garry O'Connor forced a save from Pernis and Hibs were unable to mount a comeback in the closing stages.

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (6)

Hibernian

01 Stack
02 Doherty Booked
04 Hanlon
19 Kujabi
22 Francomb
08 Claros (Wotherspoon - 77' )
13 Soares (Sproule - 58' )
16 Stevenson
24 Osbourne
18 O'Donovan (O'Connor - 64' )
28 Griffiths

Substitutes

31 Brown
05 O'Hanlon
25 Towell
07 Wotherspoon
17 Sproule
09 O'Connor
10 Doyle

Dundee United

01 Pernis
02 Dillon
03 Dixon
12 Watson (Kenneth - 84' )
18 Gunning
06 Flood (Swanson - 87' )
08 Robertson
11 Rankin
17 Mackay-Steven
09 Daly (Ryan - 70' )
15 Russell

Substitutes

13 Banks
05 Kenneth
14 Douglas
07 Ryan
10 Swanson
16 Armstrong
22 Dow

Ref: Salmond

Att: 9,161

Match Stats

Possession 44 56

Shots

4 11

On target

2 6

Corners

4 9

Fouls

10 13

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:10 Full time

Full Time The referee blows his whistle to end the game.

90:00 +2:18

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by George Francomb.

90:00 +2:18

Outswinging corner taken by George Francomb.

90:00 +2:06

The ball is crossed by Leigh Griffiths.

90:00 +0:17

Johnny Russell challenges Paul Hanlon unfairly and gives away a free kick. Graham Stack restarts play with the free kick.

88:54

Richie Ryan concedes a free kick for a foul on David Wotherspoon. Matt Doherty takes the free kick.

88:42

Foul by Leigh Griffiths on Gary Mackay-Steven, free kick awarded. Paul Dixon takes the free kick.

88:00

Shot from just outside the box by John Rankin goes over the target.

86:36 Substitution

Substitution Willo Flood leaves the field to be replaced by Danny Swanson.

86:22

David Wotherspoon produces a cross.

84:48

Garry O'Connor takes a shot. Save made by Dusan Pernis.

83:36 Substitution

Substitution Garry Kenneth comes on in place of Keith Watson.

83:17

Gary Mackay-Steven takes a shot. Graham Stack makes a save.

81:14

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Keith Watson by Pa Saikou Kujabi. Sean Dillon takes the direct free kick.

80:28

The ball is swung over by John Rankin, clearance made by Paul Hanlon.

79:11

A cross is delivered by Scott Robertson, save by Graham Stack.

76:09 Substitution

Substitution David Wotherspoon joins the action as a substitute, replacing Jorge Claros.

74:38

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Johnny Russell by Paul Hanlon. Keith Watson takes the free kick.

73:46

A cross is delivered by Lewis Stevenson, save made by Dusan Pernis.

72:15

Assist by Johnny Russell.

72:15 Goal scored

Goal - Gary Mackay-Steven - Hibernian 0 - 2 Dundee U Gary Mackay-Steven gets on the score sheet with a goal from the edge of the penalty area low into the middle of the goal. Hibernian 0-2 Dundee Utd.

69:54 Substitution

Substitution Richie Ryan is brought on as a substitute for Jon Daly.

69:25

Gary Mackay-Steven takes the outswinging corner, Paul Hanlon makes a clearance.

66:58

Corner taken by Willo Flood from the right by-line.

65:01

The assist for the goal came from John Rankin.

65:01 Goal scored

Goal - Johnny Russell - Hibernian 0 - 1 Dundee U Johnny Russell grabs a goal from inside the area low into the middle of the goal. Hibernian 0-1 Dundee Utd.

64:27

John Rankin takes a shot. Save by Graham Stack.

63:39 Substitution

Substitution (Hibernian) makes a substitution, with Garry O'Connor coming on for Roy O'Donovan.

62:47

Pa Saikou Kujabi sends in a cross, Dusan Pernis makes a save.

59:31

Unfair challenge on Johnny Russell by Matt Doherty results in a free kick. John Rankin restarts play with the free kick.

58:46

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Gary Mackay-Steven from the left by-line, clearance made by Matt Doherty.

57:30 Substitution

Substitution Ivan Sproule replaces Tom Soares.