Kevin Dabrowski heroics earn Hibernian derby point against Hearts

Hibernian’s debutant goalkeeper Kevin Dabrowski pulled off three big second-half saves to deny Hearts attacker Ellis Simms and ensure the second Edinburgh derby of the season ended goalless.

The 23-year-old Pole, who joined the Easter Road club five years ago, was finally handed his first competitive appearance following an injury to regular number one Matt Macey. And he made an important contribution to help his team claim a point from a game in which Hibs had the better of the first half and Hearts were on top in the second period.

Hibs manager Shaun Maloney made five changes to the side that lost 3-2 to Livingston at the weekend, as Dabrowski, Josh Doig, Rocky Bushiri, Joe Newell and Chris Mueller replaced Macey, Demetri Mitchell, Paul McGinn, Josh Campbell and Ewan Henderson.

There were two changes to the Hearts side that started the 2-0 home win over Motherwell, with Toby Sibbick – in for his first start since joining from Barnsley last week – and Barrie McKay replacing John Souttar and Gary Mackay-Steven.

The visitors had the first chance after six minutes when Beni Baningime chipped a ball over the top for Cammy Devlin, but the Australian midfielder couldn’t get his body shape right and hooked his effort well wide.

Hibs’ first opening came in the 10th minute when Mueller saw a shot from just inside the box well blocked by Stephen Kingsley after good work by Kevin Nisbet to set him up.

The hosts went agonisingly close three minutes later when Nisbet sent a close-range effort against the outside of the post after Doig’s header from a Newell free-kick broke to him inside the six-yard box.

Hibs thought they had taken the lead in the 17th minute when the ball came off Hearts defender Kingsley from a set-piece and ended