A game of what ifs ends in stalemate

DUNDEE UTD 1
Hunt pen 12

HIBERNIAN 1
Rankin 46

WHAT IFS and maybes. The Dundee United goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska wondering what would have been if the ball hadn't bounced just in front of him to allow Hibs to level the score just 25 seconds into the second half. Steven Fletcher thinking that maybe he should have taken a shot himself instead of squaring for Dean Shiels in stoppage time.

That late effort had been Hibs' best opportunity to steal three points and record their first league win in ten attempts. It would have been a harsh blow for United, who were the better side and could have been out of sight by the time Hibs' John Rankin scored his debut goal for the Easter Road side.

A CIS Insurance Cup final place already secured, Dundee United turned their attention back to league duties and began the match in a manner that suggested that the horrible monotony of last week's performance in Paisley had been an aberration. Not quite out of the blocks with the same spark they showed at against Aberdeen midweek, they did pose the greater threat in those early stages. And that was without Mark de Vries. Manager Craig Levein opting to leave the guy who once scored four goals against Hibs in a single game on the bench.

Hungrier for the ball all over the park and with greater verve and endeavour in the midfield area, spraying the ball out wide to the likes of Craig Conway and Jim O'Brien, they left Hibs chasing shadows at times. Crisper and more accurate in their passing, they outshone a Hibs side who looked slack and disjointed.

A Lee Wilkie header on to Darren Dods in the Hibs penalty broke to O'Brien and his scorching drive may have gone over the bar but it was a warning sign. Five minutes later, Danny Grainger played the ball in for Noel Hunt and, so close to goal, he should have done better. But when it came to profligacy, Hibs topped that effort in the 11th minute. Debutante Colin Nish got the ball in the box but United had bodies back. Then it was Shiels before it broke to Fletcher. Normally so clinical, his first touch let him down and the ball was cleared upfield.

When it got there, O'Brien had another effort, this time blocked by Ian Murray, and as Hibs scrambled to clear Guillaume Beuzelin was caught giving Willo Flood a push on the back and referee Eddie Smith awarded a penalty. Hunt took it and although Yves Ma-Kalambay got a touch to it with his left hand, he couldn't prevent the ball finding the net.

Dundee United were the superior force for the rest of the half, with even Hibs manager Mixu Paatelainen admitting his side had been poor. "We gave the ball away too easily and in that first half Dundee United wanted to win the game more than us. The second half was a much better performance."

It was certainly a more competitive and level contest, undoubtedly helped by the fact Hibs were able to get back level so soon after the interview. Not even a minute had elapsed when Rankin drove at goal. It wasn't the cleanest of strikes but the ball seemed to bobble as it arrived at Zaluska and, unsighted by Shiels who darted across the face of goal, he couldn't stop it bouncing up over him.

"I should have done better," he confessed afterwards, "because it wasn't a very good shot. I couldn't see the ball but that's no excuse. I am disappointed when I lose a goal, especially like that."

Eventually De Vries did enter the fray to a crescendo of boos from the travelling support and there were chances at each end. First was Grainger for the home side, then Fletcher's screamer whistled past the post. De Vries combined with Conway and Hunt before the latter's header looped over the bar.

At the other end Nish couldn't react quickly enough when the ball was played in and it deflected off him and allowed the home keeper to make a save. A few minutes earlier Nish had played in Fletcher but his opportunist overhead kick was foiled by the post.

Then came that last opportunity. Four on four, Merouane Zemmama slid the ball to his left for Fletcher but baring down on goal he opted to square to Shiels and his mis-kick went wide.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Willo Flood. One of a few candidates in midfield but, along with Mark Kerr, he ensured that Dundee United enjoyed an element of superiority in that department.

ASIDE: The man who scored four goals in one game for Hearts against Hibs, Mark De Vries started the match on the bench for United, coming on to a less-than-warm reception from the travelling fans.