Stuart Lovell and Gary McSwegan ensured honours were even as Hearts and Hibernian drew 1-1 in the third Edinburgh derby of the season.

Australian international Lovell opened the scoring for Hibernian in the first half at Tynecastle.

McSwegan equalised from 25 yards four minutes after the break.

But, perhaps more ominously, the 1-1 score means that Rangers are now level on points with Hibs in second place in the Premier League.

But it was a typical - albeit scrappy - blood and guts derby match.

Possession in the opening stages belonged to the visitors with playmakers Russell Latapy and Franck Sauzee central to the occasion.

However, Scott Severin made an early impact when he was warned by referee Willie Young for a late challenge on Laursen after just three minutes as Hearts proved how determined they were to put the 6-2 defeat in their last meeting behind them.

Hearts defender Steven Pressley was the first man in the book for hauling down Lyndon Andrews but Sauzee blazed over the free-kick from 20 yards.

McSwegan went close for Hearts in the 16th minute when he drilled Gordan Petric's lay-off goalwards. But Sauzee blocked the shot and it deflected away for a corner.

Hibs were grateful to keeper Nick Colgan moments later when he palmed away Robert Tomaschek's low cross with McSwegan ready to pounce.

Hearts lost left wing-back Kenny Milne in the 22nd minute when he was carried off with a deep gash in his leg before being replaced by Gary Locke.

Locke was immediately caught up in the action when he pulled down Laursen 20 yards from goal.

Niemi spilled Sauzee's free-kick but Locke was swift to clear under the threat of Mixu Paatelainen.

Hearts midfielder Steve Fulton saw Colgan off his line and attempted a lob in the 25th minute which dropped just wide.

Locke became the second man to be cautioned after a poor challenge on Latapy.

Paul Fenwick did well to clear a Colin Cameron corner in the 35th minute but Locke failed to connect properly with the clearance and drove over.

A terrific piece of skill saw Fulton dance between Latapy and Stuart Lovell but his cross did not match his earlier work and the opportunity was missed.

But four minutes from the break Colgan kicked long into the Hearts half.

Paatelainen knocked the ball on to David Zitelli, who found Laursen.

The Dane raced into the area and crossed low to Lovell, who slotted home at the far post.

Mathias Jack was swift out of the blocks in the second period when he played a one-two with Zitelli before running into the box. But Petric raced across to block his strike at goal.

Frenchman Zitelli was guilty of squandering a great chance three minutes after the break when Latapy offered him space in the area but he fired high and wide.

At the other end, Andy Kirk jinked his way past Laursen before forcing a good save out of Colgan.

Andrews burst through the Hearts midfield before setting up Paatelainen on the edge of the area.

The Finn teed up his shot and attempted to curl the ball around his compatriot Niemi.

But the Hearts number one leapt to his right to push away the effort spectacularly.

Hibs were beginning to overrun their neighbours and Hearts head coach swapped Severin for Juanjo to inject some life into his side.

But, 14 minutes after the break and against the run of play, Hearts equalised.

Fulton played a ball across the edge of the box which was knocked back to McSwegan who rifled home from 20 yards.

The goal roused Hearts and rocked Hibs, and Juanjo, Kirk and McSwegan all began to enjoy some room.

Andrews became the third man in the book for a harsh-looking foul on Juanjo.

But the Spaniard almost made the visitors pay a greater price with his free-kick which just dropped wide.

Juanjo proved his defensive worth also when he took the ball off the feet of Latapy with the Trinidadian preparing to race in on goal from Sauzee's through ball.

Kirk attempted to out-fox Sauzee with nine minutes remaining with a clever flick but the experience of the Frenchman saw him clear the danger before the youngster could take advantage on the left flank.