Hibs give Hearts sixth of the best in taut encounter

The trophy has been competed for by both halves of the Capital since 1875 – this was the 125th time it had been played for – and the teams put on a thrilling display at Hibs' home ground last night.

Hibs goalscorer Ross Caldwell admitted: "To win means everything to me. I have been playing for this club for a few years and they took me on from when I was a boy so to score the winning goal this year just makes it all the more special.

"Both teams played well and were quite evenly matched over the 90 minutes but I am delighted the Shield stays at Easter Road."

Both teams played some attractive passing football in the first half but Hibs went in at the interval a goal to the good after some terrific play up the wing by Caldwell. He broke into the Hearts box and, when Hamilton came to close the gap, he picked out the unmarked Handling, leaving him with the simple task of knocking the ball into the empty net.

Hearts' best chance of the half came when Walker made a good run into the box and rounded Grant in the Hibs goal but somehow Grant got the slightest of touches on the ball and that was enough to clear the danger.

Caldwell then got on the scoresheet when he picked up the ball on the wing and cut inside. He let fly with a shot which didn't look like it was going to trouble the Hearts keeper but somehow the ball smashed into the top corner.

This two-goal lead was short-lived, though, and, on the hour mark, Hearts were back in the game after some slack passing in the Hibs defence gifted Billy King with a chance and his perfectly placed chip over the advancing Grant ended up in the net to pull one back for Hearts.

This goal spurred the Tynecastle side on and from there they had several chances to score but when they were in front of goal they couldn't find a way past Grant. There was near-embarassment for Donaldson from a Hearts corner when he attempted to head the ball back to the Hibs keeper but instead headed it over him and Grant had to react quickly to tip the ball over the bar.

In the closing stages Caldwell almost doubled his tally when his powerful free-kick from 20 yards produced a fine save from Hamilton at full stretch to push the ball away.

Hibs: Grant, Doris, Lancaster, Verth, Donaldson, Gold, Horribine, Monaghan, Handling, Caldwell, Addison. Subs: Ross, Harris, Bruce, Stanton, Smith, Wright

Hearts: Hamilton, Mullen, O'Hara, Campbell, Murdoch, Kane, Tobin, Holt, Walker, King, Smith. Subs: McTurk, Christie, Rendall, Carrick, Carnwarth, Lynas, Todd