An astonishing second-half comeback by Hibernian, in a match that had looked beyond them, not only secured a precious point in their fight against relegation but prevented their neighbours from reaching the top of the Premier Division.

Hearts had been so far ahead, in authority more so than goals, that their eventual share of the points caused their supporters to boo them off the field. Hibernian followers, contrastingly, looked as though they were still at Edinburgh's famed Hogmanay street party.

Jim Jefferies, the Hearts manager, looked like a man with combat fatigue afterwards, confirming that "We definitely feel as though we lost, rather than gained, from the match. When you're two ahead at half-time and so much on top, you should make sure you hold it."

That interval lead had been established during the first 11 minutes, both goals scored by Steve Fulton. On top of his goals, which doubled his total for the season, Fulton was so impressive throughout that he deserved the man-of-the-match tag.

Fulton was badly let down by his team-mates during a second half in which Hibernian offered mainly physical effort rather than subtlety and skill. It was enough to unsettle the previously authoritative home side. Fulton's first goal came at the end of a quick and deadly move. He played the ball forward to John Robertson, who supplied Neil McCann on the left. The winger's first touch was a delightful chip towards the rushing Fulton, whose header from 12 yards looped over Chris Reid.

Fulton and Robertson combined again to extend the advantage. This time the one-two should have been disrupted by Shaun Dennis, who was clear favourite to win the ball from Robertson's return pass. But the big defender was coming back after a 10-month absence and his rustiness allowed Fulton to steal the ball away. The midfielder strode into the penalty area and beat Reid with a beautifully placed left-foot shot from 15 yards, low to the left of the goalkeeper.

During that first period, Hearts looked so strong and so quick that their visitors seemed as helpless as men in chains. But further opportunities were missed - notably by Colin Cameron and Stephane Adam - before Hibernian reached the calm of the dressingroom at the interval. The transformation afterwards was extraordinary.

With Kevin Harper finding his stride in midfield - although his final passes and shots were marked by an alarming uncertainty - Hibernian gained territorial advantage even before Andy Walker pulled a goal back.

Walker stooped to head the ball into an unprotected net after Rousset had misjudged Harper's high cross from the right. Pat McGinlay, receiving a low centre from Andy Dow on the left, wheeled to strike a low, left-footed drive past Rousset from close range. The result leaves Hibernian still at the bottom of the table but with despair replaced by hope.

Hearts: Rousset, Locke, Pointon (Flogel 75), Weir, Salvatori, Ritchie, McCann (Hamilton 85), Fulton, Robertson, Cameron, Adam. Subs not used: Frail. Goals: Fulton 6, 10.

Hibernian: Reid, W Miller, Boco (Rougier 86), Dods, Dennis, Dow, Harper, Jackson, Crawford, Walker (K Miller 74), McGinlay. Subs not used: Charnley. Booked: Dennis, Jackson, Walker. Goals: Walker 51, McGinlay 67.

Referee: B Tait (East Kilbride).