Hibernian hold off late Hearts fightback to win thrilling Edinburgh derby

Raphael Sallinger made two crucial stoppage-time saves as Hibernian held off a late fightback from Hearts to defeat the William Hill Premiership leaders 3-2 in Saturday’s Edinburgh derby at Easter Road.

Hibs were three up and seemingly coasting early in the second half after Kieron Bowie added to first-half goals from Jamie McGrath and substitute Josh Campbell.

But Hearts hit back through Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin, setting up a grandstand finale in which both Shankland and Beni Baningime were denied by Sallinger as Derek McInnes’ table-toppers went down to just their second league defeat of the season.

Hibs boss David Gray made one change to the side that started the 1-1 draw at Dundee United as Warren O’Hora replaced Zach Mitchell at right centre-back.

There was also one tweak to Hearts’ back line as Craig Halkett came in for Frankie Kent after missing the 2-1 win over Rangers with a knee injury.

With smoke from the pre-match pyro display still billowing around the ground, Hibs went ahead in the third minute.

Nicky Cadden received a diagonal pass from O’Hora wide on the left and got away from Michael Steinwender before delivering a cross for McGrath, who guided home a lovely shot on the bounce from 10 yards out.

After a passive start, Hearts began to build their way into the game and they had a golden chance to equalise in the 17th minute when Shankland powered a free header just wide from Stephen Kingsley’s cross.

Oisin McEntee then glanced a header wide from a Kingsley free-kick before Tomas Magnusson’s shot was blocked behind by Grant Hanley.

Hibs were forced into a change in the 29th minute when Cadden went off injured and was replaced by Campbell.

But the Easter Road side, despite having to soak up some Hearts pressure as the half wore on, doubled their lead in the 45th minute.

McGrath got away from McEntee on the left and and floated in a lovely delivery for Campbell, who looped a brilliant near-post header beyond Alexander Schwolow and in at the far post.

Hearts boss McInnes made a double change for the start of the second half, replacing Kingsley and McEntee with Harry Milne and Baningime.

But the leaders’ plight got worse within three minutes of the restart. Stuart Findlay’s attempted clearance on the left was charged down by Josh Mulligan and the ball broke into the path of Bowie, who drove into the box before guiding a low shot past Schwolow from 16 yards.

Just as the game looked to be drifting away from bedraggled Hearts, Shankland gave them a glimmer of hope in the 75th minute when he nodded in Alexandros Kyziridis’ cross from the right.

The Jambos pulled another goal back in the 89th minute when Devlin knocked in the rebound after Sallinger parried Kyziridis’ shot into his path.

The Hibs keeper then made two big saves in stoppage time to ensure victory and deny their city rivals what would have been a stunning fightback.