McCracken woe for United

Hibernian 2-2 Dundee United

Andy McLaren was a key player for United

Dundee United defender David McCracken scored a last minute own goal to gift Hibs a share of the spoils at Easter Road

Prior to McCracken's unfortunate intervention, Andy McLaren had threatened to return to haunt Hibs.

The United forward, who spent the summer training with Hibs but was not offered a deal, knocked in an equaliser after Scott Brown had given the home team the lead.

McLaren then set up Barry Robson for United's second goal in the 85th minute.

Hibs started the game well and they managed to put the visitors under pressure almost from the kick-off.

Brown made a good run down the right flank before crossing into the path of Garry O'Connor but the striker's shot was held by goalkeeper Paul Gallacher.

United had a chance when Robson set up McLaren but the former Kilmarnock player did not connect properly and the effort was easily held by Hibs goalkeeper Daniel Andersson.

Hibs were threatening again after seven minutes when Derek Riordan shrugged off a couple of challenges before stabbing a shot at goal but Gallacher managed to block at the near post.

But the United goalkeeper was left helpless after 14 minutes when Brown cut in from the right flank and unleashed a superb shot from 25 yards which flew into the top corner of the net.

Soon after, Gallacher was at full stretch to tip away a curling free kick from Derek Riordan.

Hibs were well on top, with Brown and Riordan looking lively up front and Grant Brebner prompting cleverly from the centre of midfield.

Riordan had another opportunity to find the net when he went on a great run before driving a shot at goal that Gallacher managed to push wide.

Scott Brown scored a wonderful goal for Hibs

Despite the home team's dominance, United drew level after 27 minutes when Matthias Doumbe slipped when clearing a cross from Robson and the ball fell kindly for McLaren, who stabbed it home from seven yards.

With 39 minutes gone Brown latched on to a woeful back-pass from McCracken but Gallacher managed to block the teenager's low shot with his feet.

The home side could not their rhythm in the second half and United began to look more purposeful in attack.

United found some room in behind the Hibs defence but Billy Dodds, then Robson and Easton could not take advantage of promising positions.

Hibs substitute Stephen Dobbie, who scored four against United's Under-21 side on Monday, saw his powerful drive drift wide of the target and fellow replacement Steven Whittaker had a decent strike saved by Gallacher.

With ten minutes remaining a wild clearance from McCracken fell to Hibs' third substitute Tom McManus, who nodded into the path of Riordan and Gallacher made a good save to keep out the youngster's deflected header.

With five minutes to go, a neat turn from McLaren bamboozled his marker and he sent Robson scurrying towards goal with a deft pass. The former Inverness winger kept his composure to drill a low shot past Andersson.

In the 90th minute Hibs lumped a hopeful free kick into the United penalty area and, with a host of bodies competing, the ball looped high into the net off the head of McCracken.

Hibernian: Andersson, Orman, Murdock, Doumbe, Smith, Brown, Brebner, Murray, Thomson, O'Connor, Riordan. Subs: Hyldgaard, McManus, Whittaker, Dobbie, Reid.

Dundee Utd: Gallacher, Wilson, McCracken, Innes, Archibald, Robson, Dodds, McInnes, Easton, McLaren, McIntyre. Subs: Jarvie, Scotland, Griffin, Duff, Kerr.

Referee: C Richmond

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