Attendance 15,560
Hearts came back from the dead to win the Edinburgh Derby in the most dramatic fashion with two goals in the last four minutes signaling a 2-1 win over Hibernian at Easter Road.
Neither side may have an earthly of securing any silverware this season, yet a near-capacity crowd witnessed an engrossing, hard-fought struggle with both teams giving not an inch in an end-to-end struggle. Hibernian appeared for much of the game to have the upper hand, yet at the death paid the penalty for failing to finish off their opponents.
Both sides had chances during a first-half played at a thundering pace, with Garry O¹Connor an ever-present threat to the Hearts defence, at the centre of which Stephen Pressley was outstanding.
Hibs finally broke the deadlock in 37 minutes when a Jarkko Wiss corner to the far post was nodded back across goal by Ian Murray, allowing Mixu Paatelainen to stab the ball home.
Referee Willie Young had refrained from showing any yellow cards in the opening stages, but did finally produce it in 41 minutes to book Phil Stamp of Hearts for a foul on Alen Orman, a decision that would have a profound effect on the closing stages.
The second-half grew tenser as the game developed, but Hibs always appeared to have the edge only to be denied on several occasions by Hearts goalkeeper Roddy McKenzie. Hearts' defence was solid, with 'Elvis' outstanding in the middle.
Referee Willie Young was as always having a nightmare overweight and frequently 75 yards behind play, he ludicrously yellow-carded Scott Severin in 58 minutes when he cleanly won the ball in a challenge on Ian Murray.
The game appeared to be heading for its conclusion with the 'Hibbees' comfortable even with a narrow lead, yet there was to be a twist in the tail.
Hearts' Manager Craig Levein had thrown on substitute Neil Janczyk for Scott Severin with ten minutes remaining, and the change would have a profound effect on the outcome of the game.
A deep cross from the left in 84 minutes found the head of Kevin McKenna, and the Canadian Internationalist's effort left Nick Colgan stranded for the equalizer.
The Hearts supporters in the South Stand celebrated wildly, as did their player who was yellow-carded for his troubles.
No matter it was 1-1 and Hearts now had the upper hand, although Paco Luna¹s 25-yard free-kick in 89 minutes almost produced the winner for Hibs, McKenzie punching the effort clear.
With the 90 minutes up, and indeed the additional two also expired, another Janczyk pass split the home defence allowing Phil Stamp to sweep home a low left-foot shot into the corner of the net.
The Hearts End was demented, with Stamp joining them in their celebrations.
Unfortunately Willie Young showed absolutely no common sense and deemed that this was worthy of a second yellow card, thus ordering the player off in the moment of his greatest triumph.
Retire now Willie.