Hibs 1 - 2 Hearts, 22 March 1986: Robertson ensures Hibs pay penalty

Hearts went into the record books when this derby win took them to 22 games without defeat in the league. And their fans gave the league leaders a rousing derby-day cheer at Easter Road.

Part of the covered enclosure at the Albion Road end of the ground had to be cordoned off as a result of gale damage. The police demanded this precaution and chairman Kenny Waugh and his directors examined the problems before anyone was admitted. Clearly, the fierce wind would have an adverse effect on this fourth and final league derby in which Hibs were attempting to beat their city rivals for the first time in seven years.

The pre-match predictions about a physical game were proved correct in what was a frantic tussle, although Hearts enjoyed the better of the play shooting down the slope in the first half. Alan Rough was the busier goalkeeper as Hearts tried to capitalise on the gale, and there were times when the stopper could not reach the centre circle with his clearances. With 23 minutes gone, a spectator was hauled out from the Hearts end and he fought so frantically that it needed six policemen to carry him out.

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Hibs captain Gordon Chisholm became the third player to have his name taken after a challenge on Kenny Black and the pattern continued along hard-hitting lines.

At last, there was some genuine goal-mouth action as Sandy Clark fired a 20-yard left-footer over the bar. It was almost as though Hibs were content to contain the league leaders until the wind was more favourable towards them. Nevertheless, Mark Fulton and Gordon Hunter were defending splendidly for the home side.

Fully 37 minutes had been played before Hibs had troubled Henry Smith at all and it was Joe Tortolano who unleashed the left-footer which forced Smith to dive to his right for a smart save. Hearts took the lead in 38 minutes and it was Clark who took possession of a through ball from Walter Kidd as Hibs' defence charged out following a corner. There were three Hearts players almost in a line but there was no offside flag and the centre-forward finished well.

Stevie Cowan and Craig Levein were booked for a private contest not within the rules and Hunter brought the total of cautioned players to six close to half-time. He miskicked and lost both a boot and his cool in trying to restrain John Colquhoun from making headway.

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With 53 minutes played, Hibs striker Gordon Durie, who had been under treatment all week gave way to Harris. Smith twice held corners from Tortolano in superb style and Hearts engineered a good move between John Robertson, Gary Mackay and Black, which allowed Colquhoun to test Rough.

John Collins was more prominent as Hibs pushed on for an equaliser and it came in 64 minutes after Tortolano had been fouled by Kidd. The winger sent in a magnificent free-kick and Cowan rose to head the ball powerfully behind Smith.

Two minutes later, Hearts won a penalty as Milne used his hands to keep out a header from Robertson who, in turn, scored from the spot, despite a bold attempt by Rough to save it. Robertson had the ball in the net again but Colquhoun had fouled Rough so Hearts had to settle for their one-goal victory.

Hibs: Rough, Milne, Sneddon, May, Fulton, Hunter, Collins, Chisholm, Cowan, Durie, Tortolano. Subs: Rae, Harris.

Hearts: Smith, Kidd, Whittaker, S Jardine, Berry, Levein, Colquhoun, Black, Clark, Mackay, Robertson. Subs: I Jardine, McAdam.

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