A first club goal for Kieron Bowie capped off Hibernian’s terrific run of fourteen games unbeaten, leapfrogging defeated Dundee United in the process with the hosts denied a controversial equaliser.

As normal time had elapsed, it looked as though the visitors would head home with a creditable draw until a pinpoint through ball set Bowie on course to lash home the winner with a fitting finish for a player who had missed ten months of football prior to his return from injury..

However Hibs were made to work for it after a less than convincing header from Rocky Bushiri saw the ball land at Ross Graham’s feet, the defender firing a shot that took a deflection to loop over Jordan Smith and give the home side the lead just six minutes in.

After firing his opening effort comfortably into the palms of Jack Walton, Mykola Kukharevych would make mistake with his second as he met Nicky Cadden’s corner at the back post for the equaliser.

With Bowie’s belter setting them on their way, Junior Hoilett put the game out of reach with a goal in the tenth minute of added time after Dwight Gayle’s ball over the top of backtracking United defence left the Canadian to beat Walton one on one.

Jim Goodwin’s far for impressed with the way VAR denied Sam Dalby a goal that would have put United ahead, ruling out the header from the league’s top scorer for a handball after a drawn out check offering little clarity to supporters.

Dalby will rue not making the most of his header in the first half, sending Ryan Strain’s header well over with Strain’s free-kick in added time almost creating a leveller as the effort was spilled by Smith, the keeper’s blushes spared by the quick thinking of his defenders.

Sunshine follows Hibs to Dundee

A terrific performance against Celtic at Easter Road was capped off by the rendition of ‘Sunshine on Leith’ sung in unison by adoring fans and delighted players.

Yet it seems that, contrary to popular belief, the there can be sunshine of Dundee as Hibernian produced a gritty performance to keep the party going for a remarkable fourteenth game.

Tannadice is one of the most difficult grounds to travel to so for the side to earn a win with three goals is an achievement that should and will give them confidence.

The result marks their first win in three attempts over Jim Goodwin’s side this season as they hopped over tonight’s losers into fourth and only one point behind Aberdeen.

Standing in their way of the highest point in their campaign so far is Hearts, who travel to the ‘Holy Ground’ on Sunday.

Turbulent year threatens good season

For all the acclaim United have received for spending much of the season in fourth despite only just getting promoted, Jim Goodwin will be far from please with the performances he has seen from his side since the new year.

Three wins and six losses have put fans in a bit of tizzle with split fast approaching.

VAR decisions not withstanding you could hardly claim they were deserving of much in the game, unable to put Hibs under the kind of pressure they have done in the past.

Granted, Sam Dalby will feel he should have added 13th league goal to his tally, if not for the effort chalked off then at least for the header that he will no doubt know he should have done better with.

Now they must travel to an Aberdeen side only just showing signs of recovery following a turbulent few months of their own.

Line-ups:

Dundee United: Walton, Graham, Gallagher (c), Adegboyega, Ferry (Babunski 86), Campbell (Fiorini 86), Ševelj, Strain, Paton (van der Sande 72), Dalby Unused subs: Harding, Fotheringham, Middleton, Richards, Sibbald, Trapanovski

Booked: Stephenson

Goals: Graham (6)

Hibs: Smith, Iredale, Bushiri, O’Hora, N. Cadden (Obita 67), Triantis, Moriah-Welsh, Miller, Campbell (Hoilett 76), Kuharevich (Bowie 67), Boyle (c) (Gayle 67) Unused subs: Bursik, C. Cadden, Ekpiteta, Kwon Hyeok-Kyu, Manneh

Booked: Kuharevich, Campbell

Goals: Kuharevich (18), Bowie (90), Hoilett (90+10)

Referee: David Dickinson

Attendance: 10, 674