A late deflected strike from David Wotherspoon earned Hibernian a Scottish Cup win over trophy-holders Hearts.

The visitors had gone 12 Edinburgh derbies unbeaten, including last season's cup final mauling at Hampden.

But the tables were turned at Easter Road when Wotherspoon's 82nd-minute shot cannoned off Marius Zaliukas to spin past keeper Jamie Macdonald.

In a wretched match, there was very little to excite the supporters until the breakthrough came.

Both sides were guilty of appalling distribution as the ball was hurriedly hoofed from one end of the park to the other.

Hibs could not get their forwards into threatening areas, while Hearts were reluctant to support lone striker Callum Paterson.

Each team is much changed since Hearts dished out that 5-1 thrashing at the national stadium last May.

Hibs are now perched high above their city rivals in the Scottish Premier League and this victory owed much to a new-found resilience among the men in green.

Ryan McGivern was a solid presence in central defence, while Jorge Claros and Tom Taiwo scrapped away in the middle of the park to make sure the back four were protected, albeit against a modest threat.

The visitors opened brightly with a delicious cross from Arvydas Novikovas finding the head of Callum Paterson but Ben Williams was able to crouch low and keep the ball out at his near post.

Hibs responded with Taiwo slicing a shot over from 18 yards after a neat lay-off from Wotherspoon and Macdonald had to flap away a tricky, curling free-kick from Leigh Griffiths that whizzed through a cluster of players.

From a corner, a wayward header from Hearts skipper Zaliukas struck the chest of defender Paul Hanlon forcing Williams to make a smart save.

And, with the Hibs defence standing off, a Novikovas cross from the left then drifted across goal and grazed the far post.

Paul Cairney stumbled through a couple of challenges to reach the Hearts penalty box but took an extra touch when a shot looked on and had the ball taken off his toes by Andy Webster.

The second half started in the same untidy manner and the home side were dealt a blow when top-scorer Griffiths was withdrawn after landing awkwardly on his ankle.

Zaliukas did well to outmuscle Hanlon at the near post as Wotherspoon whipped in a dangerous corner and from the second set-piece Macdonald dropped the ball but recovered in time to deny the same Hibs player.

A goal looked increasingly unlikely as play continued in a ragged fashion but Wotherspoon was rewarded for his enterprise as he skipped past Kevin McHattie on the right and unleashed a shot from 20 yards.

The ball took a huge deflection off the knee of Zaliukas and looped over Macdonald to send the home fans wild with delight.

Hibs boss Pat Fenlon, who received a two-match touchline ban for gesturing to Hearts fans at Hampden, jumped in the air on the pitch when the final whistle sounded and was joined by a hobbling Griffiths as the victorious team savoured their moment.

Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (5)

Hibernian

  • 01 Williams
  • 03 McGivern
  • 04 Hanlon
  • 18 Maybury
  • 08 Claros
  • 11 Cairney Booked
  • 14 Wotherspoon
  • 16 Stevenson
  • 20 Taiwo
  • 09 Griffiths (Caldwell - 54' )
  • 10 Doyle (Sproule - 71' )

Substitutes

  • 31 Murdoch
  • 36 Donaldson
  • 17 Sproule
  • 29 Caldwell
  • 32 Kuqi

Heart of Midlothian

  • 01 MacDonald
  • 04 McGowan Booked
  • 05 Barr (Robinson - 59' )
  • 06 Webster
  • 14 Walker (Sutton - 73' )
  • 26 Zaliukas Booked
  • 29 McHattie Booked
  • 07 Stevenson
  • 10 Taouil
  • 18 Novikovas (Driver - 46' )
  • 33 Paterson

Substitutes

  • 21 Enckelman
  • 11 Driver
  • 08 Robinson
  • 09 Sutton
  • 12 Smith
Ref: Murray
Att: 17,052

Match Stats

Shots

4 7

On target

2 1

Corners

6 4

Fouls

11 11

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:35 Full time

Full Time The referee brings the game to a close.

90:00 +3:16

Short corner taken by Ross Caldwell from the left by-line.

90:00 +2:39

Ryan McGowan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ivan Sproule. Direct free kick taken by Ryan McGivern.

89:36

Ryan Stevenson takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, Lewis Stevenson makes a clearance.

89:02

Ryan Stevenson takes the inswinging corner, clearance made by Paul Hanlon.

87:36

Kevin McHattie sends in a cross, Callum Paterson takes a shot from just outside the penalty area which clears the crossbar.

85:25

Ben Williams restarts play with the free kick.

85:25 Booking

Booking Ryan McGowan is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

85:21

Unfair challenge on Lewis Stevenson by Ryan McGowan results in a free kick.

83:28

Assist on the goal came from David Wotherspoon.

83:28 Goal scored

Goal - Marius Zaliukas - Hibernian 1 - 0 Hearts An own goal is conceded by Marius Zaliukas. Hibernian 1-0 Hearts.

82:30

David Wotherspoon takes a shot.

82:20

The ball is sent over by Andrew Driver, clearance by Lewis Stevenson.

79:33

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by David Wotherspoon from the left by-line, clearance made by Andy Webster. Outswinging corner taken by David Wotherspoon.

76:45

Lewis Stevenson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on John Sutton. Free kick crossed by Mehdi Taouil.

75:37

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by David Wotherspoon, Marius Zaliukas makes a clearance. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by David Wotherspoon from the left by-line, Jamie MacDonald makes a save.

75:07

Free kick awarded for a foul by Scott Robinson on Ivan Sproule. Ryan McGivern takes the free kick.

74:54

Andrew Driver produces a cross, clearance made by Paul Hanlon.

73:47

The referee blows for offside. Marius Zaliukas takes the indirect free kick.

73:00 Substitution

Substitution John Sutton on for Jamie Walker.

70:00 Substitution

Substitution (Hibernian) makes a substitution, with Ivan Sproule coming on for Eoin Doyle.

70:00

The assistant referee flags for offside against Ross Caldwell. Indirect free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.

67:50

The ball is delivered by Andrew Driver, Ryan McGivern makes a clearance.

61:25

The referee blows for offside. Jamie MacDonald restarts play with the free kick.

59:09

Lewis Stevenson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Callum Paterson. Free kick crossed left-footed by Andrew Driver from right wing, clearance by Lewis Stevenson.

58:27 Substitution

Substitution Darren Barr leaves the field to be replaced by Scott Robinson.

55:32

Free kick awarded for a foul by Tom Taiwo on Jamie Walker. Free kick taken by Andy Webster.

54:22

Paul Cairney gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mehdi Taouil. Andy Webster restarts play with the free kick.

53:08 Substitution

Substitution Ross Caldwell joins the action as a substitute, replacing Leigh Griffiths.

50:21

Corner taken by Andrew Driver from the left by-line to the near post, David Wotherspoon manages to make a clearance.

49:51

Free kick awarded for a foul by Eoin Doyle on Ryan McGowan. Direct free kick taken by Andy Webster.

48:34

Corner taken left-footed by Leigh Griffiths, Eoin Doyle takes a shot. Comfortable save by Jamie MacDonald.

47:23

Darren Barr concedes a free kick for a foul on Eoin Doyle. Free kick crossed left-footed by Leigh Griffiths from right channel, save by Jamie MacDonald.

46:51

Darren Barr has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

45:01

The second half kicks off.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Arvydas Novikovas leaves the field to be replaced by Andrew Driver.

45:00 +0:58 Half time

Half Time The first half comes to an end.

44:51

Leigh Griffiths delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right channel, clearance made by Ryan Stevenson.

44:51 Booking

Booking Marius Zaliukas is given a yellow card.

44:39

Marius Zaliukas challenges Eoin Doyle unfairly and gives away a free kick.

43:28

Eoin Doyle challenges Kevin McHattie unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.

42:43

The ball is sent over by Jamie Walker.

42:13

Centre by Alan Maybury.

41:51

A cross is delivered by Leigh Griffiths, Andy Webster manages to make a clearance.

40:12

Unfair challenge on Eoin Doyle by Ryan McGowan results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Ben Williams.

39:49

Mehdi Taouil delivers the ball, clearance by Ryan McGivern.

38:30

Effort from inside the area by Jamie Walker misses to the right of the goal.

37:11

Free kick awarded for a foul by Leigh Griffiths on Jamie Walker. Andy Webster restarts play with the free kick.

36:45

Eoin Doyle takes a shot. Blocked by Marius Zaliukas.

35:09

The ball is delivered by Arvydas Novikovas, Lewis Stevenson makes a clearance. Free kick awarded for a foul by Darren Barr on Paul Cairney. Ryan McGivern takes the direct free kick.

33:26

Free kick awarded for a foul by David Wotherspoon on Kevin McHattie. Direct free kick taken by Marius Zaliukas.

31:51

Unfair challenge on Alan Maybury by Callum Paterson results in a free kick. Paul Hanlon restarts play with the free kick.

31:23

The official flags Leigh Griffiths offside. Jamie MacDonald takes the indirect free kick.

30:45

Arvydas Novikovas delivers the ball, Paul Hanlon manages to make a clearance.

29:09

David Wotherspoon produces a cross.

27:44

Shot by Darren Barr from outside the area goes high over the crossbar.

25:46

Arvydas Novikovas produces a left-footed shot from the edge of the area and hits the post.

22:14

Effort from inside the area by Arvydas Novikovas misses to the left of the target.

20:20

The free kick is delivered right-footed by Ryan Stevenson from right channel, Ryan McGivern manages to make a clearance.

20:20 Booking

Booking The referee shows Paul Cairney a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

20:10

Paul Cairney challenges Darren Barr unfairly and gives away a free kick.

19:24

Foul by Jorge Claros on Mehdi Taouil, free kick awarded. Jamie MacDonald restarts play with the free kick.

16:52

The ball is swung over by Arvydas Novikovas, Ryan McGivern manages to make a clearance.

12:15

Outswinging corner taken by Jamie Walker from the right by-line played to the near post, save by Ben Williams.

11:07

Arvydas Novikovas crosses the ball, save made by Ben Williams.

10:01

Jorge Claros fouled by Andy Webster, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Ryan McGivern.

6:45

Free kick awarded for a foul by Marius Zaliukas on Leigh Griffiths. Leigh Griffiths crosses the ball in from the free kick, save by Jamie MacDonald.

6:04

Effort from the edge of the penalty box by Tom Taiwo goes wide of the right-hand upright.

5:20

The free kick is swung in left-footed by Leigh Griffiths, Jamie MacDonald makes a save.

5:20 Booking

Booking Kevin McHattie is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

5:14

Kevin McHattie challenges David Wotherspoon unfairly and gives away a free kick.

1:57

Arvydas Novikovas sends in a cross, Callum Paterson takes a shot. Save by Ben Williams.

0:56

The referee blows for offside. Indirect free kick taken by Ben Williams.

0:21

Paul Cairney gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jamie Walker. Andy Webster restarts play with the free kick.

0:00

The game begins.

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