Ian McCall's new Dundee United outfit had a disastrous start to their new season when they threw away the points in the final 15 minutes against Hibs.
After dominating throughout, the Tangerines fell apart in the final fifteen minutes.
As expected, the game began in a frantic fashion with both sets of players eager to seek the early advantage. With United only fielding two players who played in the final game of last season, the enthusiasm masqueraded the early lack of cohesion. For their part, the visitors began with confidence.
The first chance in the eleventh minute came as a result of some sweet play from Jim Paterson, but the ball squirmed away from Billy Dodds as the little striker was ready to pounce. Hibs replied immediately with Grant Brebner just failing to connect with Stephen Glass' cross.
The chances continued to arise for the Tangerines but they could not make them count. A 38th minute chip from Derek McInnes gave Charlie Miller a clear view on goal from only six yards, but he took his eye off the ball and he swiped fresh air.
It only took United two minutes into the half to find the goal they deserved. Alen Orman fought with Dodds on the left flank for the ball. The full-back mistimed his clearance allowing the little striker to curl and wonderful ball into the path of his partner Collin Samuel. The Trinidadian sent Daniel Andersson the wrong way as he beat Smith to the ball on the six-yard line.
But against the run of play Hibs equalised in the 74th minute, sub Tom McManus' cross came off Mark Kerr, deceiving both Paul Gallacher and Paterson and into the path of Derek Riordan for the striker to knock the ball in from two yards.
Hibs took heart from this break and pressurised the United defence and it all fell apart for McCall's side five minutes from time when Barry Robson pulled Ian Murray's shirt resulting in a red card and the referee pointing to the penalty spot.
McManus easily converted to give the visitors their unlikely winner.