Dundee United hold out for draw at Hibernian to boost top six hopes

Dundee United held firm in the second half to secure a 1-1 draw away to Hibernian and take a huge step towards sealing their place in the top six of the cinch Premiership.

The Tannadice side – backed by 2,000 travelling supporters – seized an early lead through Ross Graham before being pegged back right on half-time by an equaliser from Hibs debutant Harry Clarke.

The result means fourth-place United are three points clear of seventh-place Ross County with a superior goal difference going into the final round of fixtures before the split.

Sixth-place Hibs, meanwhile, will need to at least avoid defeat away to Hearts next Saturday to remain in the top six.

Easter Road boss Shaun Maloney made four changes to the side that lost 3-1 at Aberdeen a fortnight previously as Ryan Porteous, Josh Campbell, Lewis Stevenson and Drey Wright were replaced by Clarke, Paul Hanlon, Jake Doyle-Hayes and Chris Mueller.

There were three alterations to the United side that started the 2-1 win at St Mirren as Graham, Kevin McDonald and Nicky Clark came in for Calum Butcher, Miller Thomson and Scott McMann.

The visitors went ahead in the 10th minute when centre-back Graham – who scored on his Scotland Under-21s debut in midweek – nodded in from close range after Ryan Edwards had headed Tony Watt’s cross from the right back across goal.

Chances were few and far between in the first half although United threatened to double their lead in the 37th minute when Dylan Levitt darted to the bye-line and cut the ball back for Ilmari Niskanen at the back post, but the Finnish midfielder knocked his close-range effort wide.

Hibs’ first attempt came in the 40th minute when Clarke – playing his first match since signing from Ross County in January – saw a