Hibernian 2
Dundee Utd 0
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Ivan Golac made three changes from the side which lost out to Brondby on away goals. Mark Perry returned to defence in place of the injured Dave Narey; Grant Johnson came in for the suspended Dave Bowman and Paddy Connolly retained his place after coming on as a substitute against Brondby at the expense of Christian Dailly who with Andy McLaren was on the bench. If the terms of our mission was revenge for that League Cup semi-linal exit then this turned more to be a case of deja vu as Darren Jackson again came up with a raging strike to set Hibs on the path to victory on the stroke of half time. Yet that had been the home side's only shot on target in the first period, whereas Jim Leighton as he had done in the semi-final pulled off a couple of vital saves. The first of these was after 15 minutes when John Clark again in the role of temporary striker turned quickly on Paddy Connolly's through pass only to see Leighton keep the ball out with his legs. Five minutes from the interval came the first of two incidents upon which he outcome of the match was to hinge, Maurice Malpas played the ball up the left. Paddy Connolly sprung Hibs offside trap cut inside Miller and let fly from 12 yards, but a magnificent one-handed save by Leighton denied United a goal. Then right on the interval Darren Jackson struck. Farrell returned a clearance high into the box. Alan Main punched clear under pressure from Wright and the ball fell to Darren Jackson on the edge of the box and he knocked the ball past Mark Perry before rifling the ball high into the net via the underside of the bar. Hibs scarcely deserved to be on level terms at the interval never mind in front!

A Keith Wright header immediately on the resumption was he first save Alan Main had to make, but soon it was United who took up the running with a Paddy Connolly shot being diverted over the bar by Tweed's out stretched leg. Christian Dailly and Andy McLaren came on within two minutes of each other for Mark Perry and Scott Crabbe, but it was Hibs who were to increase their lead. Midway through the second half Hibs went further in front when a Wright cross was inadvertently knocked on by Christian Dailly to Darren Jackson who was in splendid isolation at the back post and he controlled it before sweeping the ball low under Alan Main. For the first time in the match Hibs were in control, but before the end United rallied and Leighton saved from Billy McKinlay and Grant Johnson and Andy McLaren shot into the side netting after carrying the ball clear of the Hibs defence. But at the end it was Hibs who recorded another victory and adding insult to injury, all three Hibs goals have been scored by Darren Jackson!