Once again it was honours shared in an Edinburgh Derby - another pulsating encounter that may have lacked scoring opportunities but had the usual supply of drive and passion. Hearts had shocked Easter Road Stadium when they took the lead deep into first half injury time thanks to a stunning strike by youngster Gordon Smith, but Hibernian rallied and deservedly pulled level early into the second half through Anthony Stokes' 11th goal of the campaign. Controversial red cards for Darren McCormack and Ruben Palazuelos ensured both teams finished the match with ten men.

Hibernian welcomed Heart of Midlothian to Easter Road Stadium for the opening fixture of 2010, and making his debut in the toughest manner possible was new signing Graeme Smith. Back for Hibernian was Ian Murray following injury, slotting into the central defence place vacated by Sol Bamba. The other change from the game against Rangers saw Darren McCormack come in at right back.

The visitors got the action underway and lost possession immediately as Hibernian laid down an early marker of their intentions. The noise that was being generated by the capacity crowd was incredible as both sets of supporters roared their lungs out for their respective sides. The early exchanges were frantic and scrappy with passes often miss-hit as players rushed to move the ball on to a team-mate. Sloppy play at the back from Hibernian led to the first chance of the afternoon being created by the visitors on 8 minutes. Hogg was caught in possession on the edge of the Hibernian penalty area by former team-mate Stewart and after a one-two with Nade he looked to pick out Gordon Smith sliding in at the back post, but the ball was just beyond the reach of the youngster.

Moments later and Bouzid almost inadvertently directed the ball into his own net following a sliding challenge on Wotherspoon - the Hearts defender had gotten the wrong side of his opponent. Luckily for the Hearts man, goalkeeper Kello was quick to adjust and clear the ball down field by foot. Hibernian were looking to get Zemmama on the ball as often as possible as the little Moroccan was giving Cinikas all sort of problems with his direct approach. Hearts' captain Stewart temporarily left the field to receive treatment and whilst he was out of action both Riordan and Rankin attempted to capitalise with long range efforts but neither caused Kello any problems.

On 28 minutes Hibernian had their best chance of the afternoon so far when a Zemmama free kick was only partially to Hogg and the Hibernian captain's first time volley was blocked by Zaliukas only a few yards from goal. Hibernian should have broken the deadlock not long after when Wotherspoon's ball over the top put Stokes clean through on goal but despite holding off Bouzid the striker sliced his left foot shot wide of goal from 12 yards.

A clumsy challenge by Murray on Santana resulted in a Hearts free kick 23-yards from the Hibernian goal on 36 minutes. Michael Stewart played the ball to the back post where it was met by the head of Nade only for goalkeeper Smith to push his effort over the crossbar for a corner kick. As half time approached debutant Smith was in action once more, this time to bravely save following a fully-committed challenge from Nade. In first half injury time Hearts opened the scoring when Palazuelos deep cross was smashed spectacularly into the back of the Hibernian net by Gordon Smith to stun Easter Road. The goal came as a hammer blow to Hibernian who found themselves undeservedly behind at the interval.

Half Time: Hibernian 0 Heart of Midlothian 1

The second half began with Hibernian kicking towards the Famous Five Stand and neither side having made any changes during the break. Hearts were first onto the attack when Santana fired well wide from 25 yards, the attacker having more time than he realised and snatched at his opportunity. In the moments that followed first half goal scorer Smith had a great chance when the ball landed at his feet only 16 yards from goal. Despite being unmarked and with time to pick his spot, this time the youngster lacked composure and was well off target with his shot.

It took Hibernian just eight second half minutes to haul themselves level and send Easter Road into meltdown. Derek Riordan gathered the ball on the left flank and went beyond Cinikas before delivering an inch perfect cross to the back post for Anthony Stokes to head into the Hearts net from close range for his 11th goal of the season. Stokes had now netted in five consecutive games and became the first Hibernian player to do so since Garry O'Connor in 2002. The game had barely restarted when both teams were reduced to ten men after McCormack and Palazuelos were red carded by referee Richmond for violent conduct during a break in play. That gave both managers a decision to make and Csaba Laszlo responded by replacing Smith with Black whilst for Hibernian Wotherspoon was forced to drop deep to cover the gap in defence.

There was no let-up in the action however and Hibernian were within inches of taking the lead when Miller's low cross was knock just wide of the far post by the sliding Riordan. On 65 minutes Zemmama was replaced by McBride as John Hughes attempted to strengthen his side in the middle of the park. Tempers were flaring and Murray picked up a yellow card for a crunching tackle on Santana with the Hearts man also cautioned for his reaction to the challenge. From the resulting free kick the ball broke loose to Black and his first time effort at goal was kept out by a stunning save from goalkeeper Smith as the former Motherwell player threw himself across goal to keep the shot out.

Play for both teams was certainly scrappy as the game entered the final 15 or so minutes with neither side holding the upper hand on their opponent. Hibernian came close to taking the lead when a cross from Riordan was blocked by Cinikas, Murray pounced on the loose ball which finished just wide of Kello's near post. Templeton replaced Santana for the final 6 minutes as both teams continued to push forward in search of a winner. Hibernian had a glorious chance to seal a victory when Stokes put Riordan through on goal but goalkeeper Kello was quick off his goal-line and produced a great block to keep his side level.

McBride picked up a yellow card in the last minute of normal time for a trip on Templeton before Hearts won a late corner kick to put the home side under pressure. Zaliukas got on the end of the set piece but he could do little as Smith gathered. Three additional minutes were signalled by the fourth official and in the first of those Stewart picked up a yellow card for a cynical challenge on Murray as Hibernian broke forward.

That proved to be the final piece of action in a pulsating New Year Edinburgh derby where a share of the spoils was perhaps the fairest outcome. Chances were few and far between during the 90 minutes and the visitors are most likely to be happier with the point than the home side. Next week Hibernian have a break from the Scottish Premier League when they face Irvine Meadow in the Scottish Cup.

Hibernian: Smith, Hogg, Murray, Hanlon, McCormack, Miller, Rankin, Zemmama, Riordan, Stokes, Wotherspoon. Subs: Flynn, McBride, Cregg, Nish, Benjelloun, Stevenson, Thicot.

Heart of Midlothian: Kello, Lee Wallace, Jonsson, Palazuelos, Santana, Cinikas, Nade, Bouzid, Stewart, Zaliukas, Smith. Balogh, Black, Witteveen, Templeton, Ryan Wallace, Mulrooney, Visconte.

Report: Richard Payne