Another handshake for captains Paul Paton and David Gray and we're off again.

This is one of nine games for Hibs this month, will fatigue be a factor for the team in green?

The crowd at Hampden is 19,651. Pretty disappointing but I'm sure no one is leaving early with this game in the balance.

A quick gulp of water for the players and then we'll get another 30 minutes. 

Play is stretched but neither defence is being overly worried. We're heading for extra time.

Dundee United striker Henri Anier is briefly clear of the Hibs defence but he does doesn't have the legs to get away from Lewis Stevenson.

We'll get four minutes of time added on. 

89 minutes gone and it's tense but not in an exciting way, I'm afraid...

As we enter the 85th minute at the national stadium, Hibs replace Liam Henderson with Martin Boyle. The substitute is quick. Will he get a chance to run at the United defence? It's all gone a bit stale.

A welcome shot on target as Farid El Alagui turns and has a pop from 20 yards but it was never going to trouble United keeper Eiji Kawashima.

With United having used up all their subs, Hibs make their first change and it's Anthony Stokes making way for Farid El Alagui. Can we expect a more direct approach from the Leith team now?

Now Chris Erskine is down receiving treatment, with Henri Anier ready to come off the bench for United. The replacement was on loan at Easter Road for the first half of the season so he might have a few tricks up his sleeve. 

Dundee United defender Coll Donaldson hobbles off with a knock and gets a verbal blast from manager Mixu Paatelainen for his troubles since his replacement is not ready.

Guy Demel eventually gets on the park after a hasty exit from his tracksuit.

John McGinn should have good memories of Hampden after his recent Scotland debut but the Hibs midfielder is not really making his mark today. He's been flitting in and out of the action but not really grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck like he can.

Image source, SNS

Anthony Stokes tries his luck from distance but a United defender gets a touch on the shot and it's an easy save for Eiji Kawashima.

Paul Hanlon heads clear from the Hibernian goal-line after another mix-up at the back allows Chris Erskine in behind. The ball falls to Ryan Dow and his shot is well blocked by a lunging Darren McGregor. The looping ball is heading in but Hanlon is in the right place.

Corner to United, bodies going down all over the place in the box, with everyone too busy to pay any attention to the ball, which drifts away out of play.

United threaten for the first time in the second half as Chris Erskine lets fly with a fierce shot but it's right at Hibs keeper Conrad Logan.