Hibs fought back from a goal down to take a share of the points against Dundee United after a frenetic 90-minutes on Tayside this afternoon.
Head coach David Gray made four changes from the side beaten by Rangers in midweek.
Zach Mitchell, the 20-year-old centre-half on loan from Charlton Athletic, replaced Warren O’Hora who was ill.
Kanayo Megwa made his first league start of the season, with Chris Cadden missing due to his wife giving birth last night.
His twin Nicky Cadden started in place of Jordan Obita who is off to the Africa Cup of Nations, while Martin Boyle started up front as Elie Youan dropped to the bench.
Rocky Bushiri and Miguel Chaiwa join Obita at the Afcon. 17-year-old defender Lewis Gillie was on the bench alongside Youan.
United manager Jim Goodwin made one change from the side that beat Celtic on Wednesday with Bert Esselink making way for Vicko Sevelj.
In the opening minute Ryan Strain went down injured while fouling Nicky Cadden and was replaced by Dario Namo.
Kieron Bowie headed Cadden’s free-kick over the bar.
Both sets of players were finding it difficult to stay on their feet due to the slippery surface and the first close thing happened in the 15th minute when Cadden tried a powerful effort from distance but his shot struck the side netting.
Moments later, Cadden delivered a superb cross from the left which just evaded Boyle.
But it was the hosts that took the lead in the 19th minute against the run of play. A cross from the right found Max Watters who slid the ball back into the path of Luca Stephenson and the on-loan Liverpool player calmly side footed it into the net.
Raphael Sallinger claimed that his view was blocked by a United player in an offside position, but the goal was given.
Cadden intercepted a loose pass on the wing, cut inside but his shot was high and wide.
A poor clearance from Sallinger was intercepted by Watters, but Grant Hanley produced a tremendous tackle to block the shot.
Bowie went close from 12-yards as Hibs pressed for an equaliser but his effort flew inches wide.
Cadden then sent another cross into the danger area but once again there were no Hibs players able to take advantage.
Moments later Cadden did the same again but Bowie missed the ball from three yards out when it looked easier to score.
But from the resultant corner the ball fell to Boyle who fired a first-time half-volley high into the net to the delight of the large travelling support.
Boyle then tried a long-range effort which was deflected for a corner.
Cadden’s corner was headed onto the crossbar by debutant Mitchell who collided with the United keeper David Richards, and both required treatment.
Six additional minutes were awarded and United sent in a dangerous corner which Sallinger dealt with.
Jamie McGrath had a long-range effort which was off target and both sides left the field at the break on level terms.
Shortly after the restart Watters had a great chance, but his touch was too heavy and Sallinger managed to get to the ball first.
At the other end Megwa tested Richards with a powerful angled drive but the keeper punched the ball to safety.
Dan Barlaser lost possession in midfield and Craig Sibbald found Zac Sapsford on the edge of the penalty box but his first time effort flew high and wide.
United enjoyed a good spell of pressure without testing Sallinger to any degree,
On the hour mark Stephenson was shown a yellow card for a cynical foul on Bowie.
Gray then made a triple change with Barlaser, Boyle and McGrath making way for Josh Cambell, Thibault Klidjé, and Dylan Levitt.
Hibs had a couple of corners from the right, but neither caused the United defence any problems.
Kristijan Trapanovski cur in from the left but snapshot was cleared off the line awkwardly by goalkeeper Sallinger’s foot.
At the other end Klidjé got in behind the United defence and tried to lift it over Richards in goal but the United keeper stood his ground and the danger was cleared.
Trapanovski then went close with a long range effort as play raged from end to end.
Megwa and Cadden both needed treatment for cramp but carried on.
Former United player Levitt had a chance from the edge of the box but sliced his effort wide of the target.
And although both sides pushed forward that was the last real chance and the game ended all sqaure.
Dundee United: Richards, Strain, Sevelj, Graham, Ferry, Sibbald, Amar Fatah, Stephenson, Keresztes, Watters, Sapsford.
Substitutes: Adams, Esselink, Trapanovski, Eskesen, Dolcek, Naamo, Stirton, Cleall-Harding, Moller.
Hibs: Sallinger, Mitchell, Hanley, Iredale, Megwa, Barlaser, Mulligan, McGrath, N Cadden, Boyle, Bowie.
Substitutes: Smith, Levitt, Youan, Alasana, Newell, Klidje, Hoilett, Campbell, Gillie.
Attendance 10,124
