By Sean Saranczuk
November 10 2003

Dundee United defender David McCracken put through his own goal to earn Hibernian a 2-2 draw at Easter Road. Barry Robson appeared to have secured all three points for United with his 83rd-minute strike after Andy McLaren had cancelled out Scott Brown's quarter-hour goal in the first period.

But, with United boss Ian McCall looking to celebrate his first win since October 18, Scotland Under-21 international McCracken floated Kevin Thomson's free-kick beyond Paul Gallacher.

It was the home side who took the early plaudits and Brown almost set up the opener within the first minute of the game when he burst down the right-flank before setting up Garry O'Connor.

But the Scotland Under-21 international fired straight at goalkeeper Gallacher.

Brown gave O'Connor a lesson in finishing when he opened the scoring in the 15th minute when he unleashed a superb shot from 25 yards, which flew under the crossbar and into the back of the net.

But the Tannadice side fought back to equalise 13 minutes later. Robson swung a ball into the box, Mathias Doumbe cleared only as far as the the feet of McLaren, who gratefully sent his half-volley past Daniel Andersson.

Brown should have regained Hibs' lead shortly before the break. McCracken was short with his pass back to Andersson and that left only the goalkeeper to beat but Brown opted to fire straight at the keeper.

United came close again when McLaren squared the ball into the path of Craig Easton just a few yards from goal but he completely missed the ball and the opportunity was lost.

Hibs showed they could still be dangerous when Brown played the ball into the path of substitute Stephen Dobbie, who was unlucky to see his powerful 25-yard drive fly over the crossbar.

A few minutes later another Hibs substitute, Steven Whittaker, put United under pressure when he bulleted a shot at goal, which Gallacher just managed to turn wide of the upright.

McLaren then turned provider and United surged into the lead seven minutes before the end. He played the ball to Robson and showed great control before driving the ball past Andersson.

But Hibs hit back in injury time when Thomson's flighted a free-kick into the box was nodded into his own net by McCracken.