Hibernian 1-1 Dundee United: Sides play out draw in top-six pursuit

Hibernian's draw at home to Dundee United was a "difficult result to take" says head coach Shaun Maloney, as their Scottish Premiership top-six hopes remain in the balance.

Hibs debutant Harry Clarke scored before the break to cancel out Ross Graham's opener for United.

The home side could not find a winner despite second-half pressure.

Instead, United stay fourth and in a strong position to finish in the top half of the table.

A draw at home to rivals Dundee in their final pre-split match will clinch a top-six spot for Thomas Courts' side, while Hibs need to win away to Hearts in the Edinburgh derby to be sure of their place.

"I don't think the result matched the performance and that's what's disappointing and makes us feel very low after that," Maloney told BBC Scotland.

"[After] going 1-0 down to essentially a set play after 10 minutes, for the rest of the game we played really well and didn't give Dundee United many opportunities.

"But again the final third is the difference between talking about a draw and talking about a win."

The match ended in pulsating fashion, with both sides looking to put themselves in a more commanding position in the table.

Hibs goalkeeper Kevin Dabrowski was forced push away Tony Watt's shot on the angle, before Elias Melkersen was presented a golden chance to win it for the home side.

Chris Mueller, who was booked for diving in the box to try to win a penalty minutes earlier, laid it on a plate for the Norwegian, who somehow smashed his effort from eight yards out over the bar.

Hibs had done most of the pressing in the second half after being boosted by Clarke's equaliser in first-half stoppage time.

The Arsenal loanee was a standout performer on his debut after recovering from a hamstring injury, consistently rampaging up the left from wing-back.

And he was able to pluck Chris Cadden's cross out of the sky and move smartly away from Liam Smith before finishing smoothly into the far corner.

That seemed to switch the momentum of the game, with United content to sit back until the final throes.

The visitors had started brightly and took the lead when the lively Watt crossed for Ryan Edwards, who headed back across goal where Graham leapt above Hanlon to head into the corner.

Ilmari Niskanen also had a good chance to turn home Dylan Levitt's cross to put United 2-0 in front, but his effort went into the side netting under pressure from Cadden.

Despite struggling for a spark at times, United are in a strong position to seal a top-six place at home to Dundee next Saturday.

Clarke's performance is a welcome boost for Hibs, who had won just one league game in their last 11 amid a struggle for goals. Playing at left-wing back, with Josh Doig at centre-back, the pair took it in turns to bomb forward and cause problems.

The Arsenal loanee scored three goals while at Ross County in the first half of the season, and with Martin Boyle gone and Kevin Nisbet out injured, a goal threat from somewhere is most welcome for Hibs boss Shaun Maloney.

Hibs generally looked bright in the second half and Melkersen should have won them the match, but with Hearts at Tynecastle in their final match, their top-six place looks shaky.

United, meanwhile, will be confident with bottom club Dundee to come at home. Courts' approach in the second half, when he took off Nicky Clark for Adrian Sporle, suggested he was happy enough with a point.

They have never been a prolific side and Watt has not been as freescoring as he was at Motherwell in the first half of the season, but he put in another great shift up top to relieve some of Hibs' pressure in the second half.

Charlie Mulgrew and Edwards both put in another solid defence of their box. Given their points advantage, it would be a surprise if United don't finish in the top half.

Hibernian head coach Shaun Maloney: "We have to work on certain areas of our performance to improve and beat Hearts. But overall we played very well.

"The support at the end was very good, they understood the performance levels. But we have to improve if we're to make top six."

Dundee United head coach Thomas Courts: "The players showed a lot of character and resilience in that second half.

"We had a couple of flashes as well and it's nice to find ourselves in a position of having a home Dundee derby with top six in our own hands."

Both sides are back in action next Saturday at 15:00 BST against their local rivals. Dundee United host Dundee with the added spice of adding to their rivals' relegation woes, while Hibs are away to Hearts.