HIBS came back from a goal behind to claim victory in the first reserve derby of the season at Almondvale.
The Easter Road side fielded a relatively experienced line-up against their old rivals, with Chris Hogg returning to action after concussion, Fabian Yantorno also appeared in the starting line-up and Paul Hanlon was back in the fold after internation
al duty with Scotland Under-19s.
The Jambos started with Juho Makela up front, supported by Gary Glen and Jamie Mole and they drew first blood with a cracking goal after 25 minutes.
David Templeton, who looked impressive throughout, picked up from Glen and cut inside before thundering a right-foot effort beyond Andy McNeil from fully 25 yards.
The goal served only to spur Hibs into action and they could have levelled almost immediately when Joe Keenan tried a similar effort, only to see his shot fizz just wide of Jamie McDonald's top corner.
A minute after that, Chris Hogg was unlucky to send a header just over the crossbar after a free-kick from Keenan.
Just after the half-hour mark though, the Easter Road side got the leveller their play deserved and again Keenan was involved, a perfect pass through for Steve Pinau and the Frenchman took the ball round McDonald before slotting into the empty net on an angle.
Before the break, Hibs could have added to their tally, only for McDonald to deny Yantorno with a brilliant save from a free-kick and then comfortably hold a close-range header from the same player.
Hearts could have edged back in front on 65 minutes when Templeton again beat the keeper but his shot came crashing back off the post.
And then Hibs were denied when Ross Campbell looked to be wrongly flagged for offside after volleying home a stunning effort.
However, Hibs got the winner with 15 minutes of the match remaining and it was Yantorno who got his name on the scoresheet – with a little help.
The former Gretna player collected from Pinau on the edge of the box and spun round to get a shot in that McDonald would most likely have held. However, it took a wicked deflection off Conrad Balatoni and left the keeper stranded.
Hearts almost earned a share of the spoils when Branimir Kostadinov tried a low, rasping effort, but again the woodwork denied the Tynecastle side a second goal.
Gathuessi could have added a late and bizarre third when his clearing tackle almost lobbed McDonald from 45 yards out but the keeper got back to tip the ball over the bar.
Hibs: McNeil, Gathuessi, Hanlon, Chisholm, Tolmie, Hogg (Moyes 76), Keenan, Pinau, Campbell, Yantorno, Cropley (Byrne 86).
Subs: Flynn, Wilson, Welsh.
Hearts: McDonald, Thomson, Balatoni, Park, Rapnik, Stewart, Templeton (McLaughlin 76), Husband (Divine 56), Makela, Glen (Kostadinov 46), Mole.
Subs: Ridgers, Kelly, Brown, Wallace.
The full article contains 484 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
