Martin Boyle made a heroic return to Hibernian with a 95th-minute equaliser to deny Hearts Edinburgh derby victory at Easter Road.
Lawrence Shankland’s first Hearts goal, a stabbed finish amid suspicions he used an arm to control Barrie McKay’s pass, looked set to give the visitors a merited Scottish Premiership win.
But Hibs summoned a late rally and after Rocky Bushiri squandered a golden chance, Boyle — who rejoined the club a day earlier — stabbed in to spark delirium among the home fans.
Hearts extended their unbeaten derby run to seven game but it was scant consolation as they were left rueing a failure to make the most of their second-half dominance, with Shankland and McKay foiled by David Marshall’s superb double save.
It leaves both sides with four points from their opening two league matches.
Robbie Neilson sprung a surprise by changing the Hearts shape, starting with four at the back, and once his side found their rhythm they scored with their first real chance after 22 minutes when Shankland slotted through Marshall’s legs after taking down McKay’s clipped ball. Debate raged over whether the striker had used in arm.
Hibs responded well initially, with Joe Newell firing a shot over before Elie Youan found Craig Gordon in his usual long-limbed, spiderish good form with a superb save from the forward’s header.
It was Marshall’s turn to save his side after the break as Hearts looked to kill the game, with the Hibs keeper producing close-range blocks to deny Shankland and then McKay.
The lack of a second goal allowed Hibs to believe. Boyle jinked away from a desperate Hearts defence, but his timid shot was deflected behind. From the resulting corner, the ball was nodded to Bushiri at the back post yet he somehow headed over from close range.
It wasn’t to be the last action though, as Youan used good pace to work a crossing chance, cutting back to Boyle who fired low to send the Hibs fans into raptures.
Hearts and Hibs fans will normally agree that Edinburgh derbies, while high in spirit, blood and thunder, can frequently be low on quality. Sometimes it needs a bit of magic to win it.
Shankland’s outside-of-the-foot finish looked like that bit of wizardry that would decide game.
Hibs have lacked that magic in recent times. Since January, to be precise. So when whispers of Boyle’s return were heard around Easter Road, excitement grew. He’s delivered much sooner than anyone thought.
Only registered at 11pm the night before, even head coach Lee Johnson admitted he didn’t think Boyle would be involved in this game.
Instead, the Australian international’s homecoming ended in almost perfect circumstances.
When Hearts fans look for something or someone to blame, they might bemoan their manager’s substitutions - somewhat defensive when only one goal ahead.
