James Wilson reacts first to level the score late onSNS

James Wilson reacted first to level the score late on

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

Teenager James Wilson secured a dramatic late point for Hearts at Easter Road to keep Hibernian rooted to the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

Mykola Kuharevich's close-range strike with his first touch following Marvin Ekpiteta's header off the crossbar put Hibs in front in the second half.

Wilson, 17, got the final touch on James Penrice's long throw with the hosts caught on their heels in the box.

Earlier, Martin Boyle's header was palmed by visiting goalkeeper Craig Gordon and Dwight Gayle's free header was right at the Scotland international.

Neil Critchley remains undefeated in his first three games as Hearts head coach and they remain above Hibs on goal difference.

Hearts asserted themselves early on, enjoying a lot of the ball but failing to create much in the way of scoring opportunities.

The best chances of the opening half fell to the home side with Gayle sending a low, driving strike towards goal after Gordon tipped Boyle’s flashed header away. The laced effort was heading narrowly wide but showed that the hosts could carry an attacking threat through their experienced forwards.

Lawrence Shankland nudged a through ball into the path of Kenneth Vargas in the Hibs area but the duo could not combine as effectively as they did last weekend for the side’s opener, with Hibs then fashioning a golden chance.

Junior Hoilett floated in a short free-kick that was met by the unmarked Gayle, but his headed attempt was right at the chest of Gordon.

Hibs started the brighter after the interval but Shankland then had the chance to open the scoring, unable to connect with a bouncing ball on the edge of the six-yard box.

Ekpiteta’s looping header crashed off the bar as he got on the end of a set piece, allowing on-loan Ukraine youth international Kuharevich to make an instant impact from close range.

Shankland found the side netting with an excellent chance and Nector Triantis was unable to double the host’s advantage, which ultimately proved costly as Wilson popped up with the decisive equaliser.

Late lapses continue to haunt Hibs

The feeling of elation amongst the home fans following their opener most likely gave way to apprehension and unease.

Having once again conceded a late sucker punch, they have now lost nine points from a winning position in the top flight this season, more than any other team.

They have also conceded eight times in the final 15 minutes of games - again, a greater number than any other team.

Questions surrounding supposed defensive fragility have plagued the club for successive campaigns and it appears to be an ongoing issue despite managerial and squad overhaul.

However, Hoilett and Gayle showed signs of real quality in attack.

Hearts lacking potency if not possession

Critchley started life at Tynecastle with a 4-0 demolition of St Mirren and an impressive midweek Conference League win over Omonia Nicosia. His first away game ends tied.

However, failed to create many clear cut chances despite having plenty of the ball.

They finished the game with 64% possession, more touches in the opposition box than Hibs and more passes into the final third.

They only registered two shots on target with the xG suggesting a more clinical Hibs side would have secured three points. The hosts registered 2.16 expected goals to Hearts' 1.15.

Shankland has yet to rediscover his form of last season, with a few of his missed chances undoubtedly going down as goals just a few months ago.

They may have condemned Hibs to a longer stay at the bottom of the table but will need to find a clinical touch if they want to move away from the bottom two themselves.

What they said

Hibs 'let themselves down at vital moment' in draw with Hearts - David Gray

Hibernian head coach David Gray: "If we keep feeling sorry for ourselves, nothing is going to change.

"We lose a goal late on, so I understand why the feeling is subdued and deflated because I firmly believe we deserve to win the game.

"I'm going to have to say the same thing again, which I've said numerous times this season, we've let ourselves down in the final moment with people not doing their jobs."

Hearts head coach Neil Critchley: "We wanted to come here and try and stamp our authority on the game and play our way, I felt we did that.

"Second half, I felt we were in the ascendancy but to concede a goal in the manner we did was really disappointing. It's been an Achilles heel for us this season, I thought we'd ironed it out. Obviously not.

"Our response after that was fantastic. Real character after a tough week, physically, to finish the game as strong as we did. The subs made a big difference."

Neil Critchley praises Hearts' 'courage' in derby draw with Hibernian

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