HIBS FANS 3 - HEARTS FANS 1

THE latest Capital derby at Easter Road ended in a 3-1 win for Hibs.

The day was dedicated to the memory of Hibs' skipper Duncan Smith's young son and the funds raised are earmarked for Simpson's Special Care Babies, the charity associated with the Neonatal Unit at Simpson's Hospital

Defender Duncan said afterwards: 'The game meant so much to me, especially with my wee boy having died in January.

'It is great to be on the pitch at Easter Road with a trophy, as a fan it is a dream and even better as a captain.'

The 'home' side took the lead from the kick-off when a loose pass back from Brian Whitson failed to reach keeper Bruce Pringle and Rorie Grant was on hand to intercept and slot the ball into the bottom left-hand corner.

Hearts almost equalised when Andy Alexander launched a thunderous shot from the edge of the area which rattled the crossbar before being cleared.

Then after 16 minutes, Hearts' Steven Kaikowski set up Garry Murray to slip the ball past Chris Flockhart only for assistant referee Paul Hanlon to raise his flag for offside.

The Hibees were soon dictating play in midfield and it came as no surprise when a McRae free-kick was picked up by Wright, who danced past Wilson and Anderson before firing home past Pringle to make it two.

Half-Time Hibs Fans 2-0 Hearts Fans

Hearts gave themselves a lifeline when Garry Murray nodded past Flockhart three minutes into the second half.

The Jambos continued to press but pushing further forward proved to be their downfall.

With the Hearts side camped in the Hibees' half, Cowan took advantage of a breakaway with 26 minutes remaining to send a 25-yard cross into the path of Grant, who made no mistake.

Hibs: Flockhart, McGurk, Cowan, Gillon, Connolly, Smith, Millar, Wright, Grant, Adams, McRae Subs: Pearson, Wood, Anderson, Lackie, Pryde, Carrigan, Burgess.

Hearts: Pringle, MacMichael, Cairns, Anderson, Whitson, Wilson, Murray, Kaikowski, Murray, Moore, Alexander Subs: Hanratty, McKay, Price, Borthwick, Li, Hughes, Whelan,

Referee: Declan Reid
Assistants: Paul Hanlon, Kevin Masterton, Willie McKenzie,