A second half strike from Dean Cleland was enough for the Hibees to pick up a deserved three points in the first Edinburgh derby of the new season.
It was a tight and cagey affair in the opening 45 with our youngsters having the better of the chances.
The first opening of the half came for Hibs after a good ball over the top of the Hearts defence from Alfie Smith. He found Dean Cleland who fancied his chances from range, however his effort went high and wide over the crossbar.
Shortly after that Hearts were adamant they should’ve been awarded a spot kick after Gregor Crookston was brought down inside the area, however the referee waved play on.
It was Hibs who were enjoying the better of the ball in the final third as they came close to an opener on the half hour mark. Rory Whittaker put in a perfectly timed cross into the box for Josh Landers who did well to get a touch onto the ball, however it was the Hearts goalkeeper who made a crucial save to put it out for a Hibs corner. Launders then headed inches wide of the far corner from the resulting corner.
The Wee Hibees pushed for an opening goal before the interval as Launders, again, came close, this time wriggling past a few Hearts defenders before letting fly from distance, but his strike went narrowly wide.
The second half was a much quieter affair with both teams battling well and largely cancelling each other out.
Hibs kept pressing, though, playing front foot football and had our own penalty appeal turned down. Dean Cleland appeared to be elbowed off the ball inside the box by a Hearts defender, however nothing was given.
As the half went on Hibs looked the likelier of the two teams to break the deadlock and they did just that on the 77th minute.
It all came from Josh Landers who had been a nuisance all afternoon for the Hearts backline, the young forward showed good strength to beat his man on the edge of the by-line before chipping in a cross for Dean Cleland at the back post, who headed in from close range to give the Wee Hibees a deserved lead.
Hearts showed very little signs of getting back into the game from then onwards as the final chance of the game came when Owen Muirhead came close with a powerful effort inside the area, however the Hibs goalkeeper Ryan Mallon saved well.
Next up for the Wee Hibees is Queen’s Park at HTC on Friday evening.
