Hibernian 1 Dundee Utd 1

Last updated : 09 March 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Jim McIntyre hoisted Dundee United off the bottom of the SPL with a second-half header that earned a point at Easter Road.

It was a game United dominated after losing an early goal to Tom McManus but they passed up several chances in a fluent display.

Hibs lacked imagination throughout and failed to ease the pressure on manager Bobby Williamson. At least the Edinburgh side snapped a five-game losing streak in the league.

Hibs could not have wished for a better start and scored after only two minutes. Mixu Paatelainen cushioned a long through ball into the path of McManus, who beat Paul Gallacher with a low right-foot shot from the edge of the area.

But Hibs failed to build on the early lead and United dominated the first half but lacked the killer instinct in front of goal.

Jim Paterson had one of the misses of the season when he somehow headed past from just six yards from a Russell Latapy cross.

Latapy was at the heart of much that was good about United as they passed the ball well but, for all their possession, they failed to force a save from Nick Colgan before the break.

Hibs were the more direct and McManus tried his luck again with a free-kick from the left which dipped just a foot over the crossbar.

Latapy set up a shooting opportunity for Stuart Duff in the 29th minute when he rolled a free-kick into his path but the midfielder's effort was woeful and failed to even reach the goal.

United should have equalised early in the second half when Latapy was through on goal but, from a tight angle, he lofted his shot over the top.

Paatelainen then tested Gallacher at the other end with a 25-yard shot but it lacked power and the goalkeeper saved comfortably.

United equalised after 69 minutes with their first effort on target. Paterson's cross eluded Colgan and McIntyre rose at the back post to head home.

Duff should have won it at the death when he only had Colgan to beat but rushed his shot and the keeper made a fine save.

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