Scottish Premiership: Hibs see off Hearts in Edinburgh derby

Wednesday 25 October 2017 10:41, UK

Simon Murray's early strike proved enough to give Hibernian a 1-0 Scottish Premiership win over Edinburgh rivals Hearts at Easter Road on Tuesday night.

In the third minute of a typically meaty capital derby, the returning striker lashed the ball high into the net to give the home side an advantage which they retained until the final whistle ended a frenetic encounter.

Neil Lennon's side leapfrogged Hearts by one point into fifth place and are now unbeaten in eight games against their city neighbours.

The hard-fought victory was just the tonic for Hibs following their 4-2 defeat to Celtic in the Betfred Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Saturday.

Some fans were still taking their seats when Murray put Hibs ahead. The former Dundee United player picked up the ball in the Hearts box, nutmegged defender John Souttar and rifled the ball past Gorgie 'keeper Jon McLaughlin into the roof of the net from 12 yards for his 11th goal of the season - but his first in eight games.

With three minutes of the first half remaining Hibs should have doubled their lead after McLaughlin raced from his line to thwart Murray.

Hearts' effort was unquestionable but a Hibs counter-attack with 10 minutes remaining saw McLaughlin pull off a terrific save from a John McGinn drive heading for the far corner, but in the end, a second goal was not required.

Elsewhere on Tuesday evening, a serious-looking injury to Scott Fox overshadowed Ross County's 0-0 draw at St Johnstone.

County goalkeeper Fox had to be helped from the field with 15 minutes to go, after going down with nobody near him, and the initial prognosis did not look good.

Aaron McCarey took his place in the closing stages of a tepid affair, with the result meaning County have lost just one of Owen Coyle's four games in charge.

Under-fire referee Steven McLean rejected several penalty appeals as Hamilton and Partick Thistle played out a goalless draw.

McLean was in charge again two days after a controversial Betfred Cup semi-final between Motherwell and Rangers but there was far less action at the SuperSeal Stadium.

Thistle hit the frame of the goal through Kris Doolan and Miles Storey, while substitute David Templeton missed a great chance for Accies.

In the end, neither side will be too dejected to claim a point. The visitors moved off the bottom of the table while Hamilton stopped a run of six consecutive defeats.