Hibernian 1-1 Hearts:
Match Report -
Ozturk saved 10-man Hearts and maintained his side's unbeaten start to the season as his 92nd-minute equaliser sealed a dramatic 1-1 draw with Hibernian at Easter Road.
Dominique Malonga's first-half strike looked as if it would be enough to hand Hibs their first Edinburgh derby success in four attempts.But Turkish defender Ozturk levelled the match in stunning style at the death as he slammed the ball off the underside of Mark Oxley's crossbar and into the Hibs net to spark wild celebrations in the away end.It was an impressive response to Callum Paterson's red card for a stupid tackle on former Torino striker Malonga 10 minutes from time.While the result was positive news for Rangers boss Ally McCoist - who watched the action from the West Stand - with his side now just six points adrift of Robbie Neilson's Hearts with a game in hand, it leaves Hibs' promotion hopes in serious jeopardy.
They still trail the Scottish Championship leaders by 14 points with just two derby clashes remaining.
It required bravery from Hibs defender Paul Hanlon to prevent Prince Buaben opening the scoring for the visitors after 10 minutes as he slid in to block.When Alan Stubbs' side then cut the visitors open, Malonga and Danny Handling seemed to get in each other's way as neither found the space to shoot.Moments later, Handling did sting the hands of Neil Alexander with a snap-shot from 15 yards out
The goalkeeper parried the ball high into the air but Jason Cummings could not control his effort on the follow-up.The hosts sensed their chance was coming, though, and should have grabbed the lead 24 minutes in as Alexander and skipper Danny Wilson got caught in a muddle on the edge of their own box
Malonga nipped in to poke the ball beyond the Jambos duo but watched with disappointment as it ran wide before Cummings could turn it into the gaping net.Scott Allan then skimmed Hearts' crossbar with a 40-yard effort but it was Neilson's men who wasted a golden chance to take the lead 10 minutes before the break.A wind-assisted punt from Paterson bounced over the head of Hanlon to leave Soufian El Hassnaoui clean through on Oxley, but the goalkeeper did not have to do too much to block a poor shot from the Dutchman.But Hibs got the goal they deserved with just 60 seconds left of the half.Liam Fontaine headed an Allan corner against team-mate Cummings, who turned and hit a low shot towards the corner of the net
Billy King did well to block that effort but with Alexander grounded, Hearts were left defenceless as Malonga lashed the loose ball into the roof of the net.The Congolese frontman should have headed home a second just moments into the second half but nodded wide from just seven yards out.Jamie Walker replaced the ineffective El Hassnaoui after 55 minutes and the Hearts youngster's first involvement was to cut a threatening low ball across Oxley's six-yard box
The goalkeeper got a hand to the delivery but was thankful Paterson could only bundle wide as the ball broke to him at close range.Neilson was forced into another change soon after as Wilson's recent hamstring troubles returned, meaning Jordan McGhee was given his introduction.Hibs still looked the more likely to add to their lead but that did not stop Oxley time-wasting at a number of goal-kicks
Referee Bobby Madden was in no mood for his gamesmanship as he produced a yellow card.The hosts did suffer the odd scare, though
A Paterson cross from the right looked perfect for King to strike but his air shot summed up Hearts' day.That delivery was Paterson's last significant contribution to Hearts' cause as he was rightly dismissed soon after
With Hibs looking to break away, the right-back lunged into a reckless tackle from behind on Malonga
By the time the Scotland Under-21 international had got to his feet, Madden was already reaching for the red card.With stoppage time almost up Hibs thought they had done enough
That was until Ozturk stepped out of defence to launch a vicious 35-yard effort over the head of Oxley and into the net via the woodwork to seal a very undeserved point.
Source : PA
Source: PA