Dundee United defender Andy Webster earned his side a point with a deflected second half equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Hibernian.

The former Hearts player - on loan from Rangers - found the net in the 73rd minute to cancel out Merouane Zemmama's first half opener.

United finished the match with ten men after Prince Buaben was shown a straight red card by referee Mike Tumilty following an off-the-ball incident involving Hibs striker Anthony Stokes.

Hibs made a lively start as they put their visitors on the back foot inside the first minute. Stokes found Derek Riordan in the box with a nice return pass but the striker's delivery across the face of goal eluded all his team-mates and outstretched goalkeeper Nicky Weaver.

The threat remained, however, and Weaver had to protect his near post as Zemmama's shot from a tight angle hit of the outer side of the woodwork.

A long kick up the park from Hibs goalkeeper Graham Stack fell to Stokes inside the box after the United defence failed to deal with the high ball. The former Sunderland player's shot was expertly blocked by Weaver and his attempt on the rebound came back off the side of the post before going behind.

Hibs took the lead in the 27th minute after United were made to pay for slack defending. A loose pass back to Darren Dods was intercepted by Zemmama and the Moroccan international showed great composure to turn Webster in the box before drilling a left-footed shot off the underside of the bar and into the net from close range.

Dominant Hibs showed no signs of letting up in their pursuit of a two-goal cushion but United looked a different side at the beginning of the second period after their half-time team talk from manager Craig Levein.

And, after a host of other chances, United restored parity in the 72nd minute as Webster notched his second goal in as many games with the aid of a deflection. His shot from 20 yards caught Stack off balance before finding the net via the inside of the post.

A hard-fought match was marred as Buaben was shown a straight red card two minutes from the end following an off-the-ball incident also involving Stokes that was witnessed by an assistant referee.