Hibernian debutant Ante Suto scored a brilliant header in stoppage time to complete a dramatic comeback win against Dundee United, whose Scottish Premiership top-six hopes were dealt a severe blow.

Jim Goodwin's side led heading into the 90th minute as two goals from corrners through Ross Graham and Max Watters put them on course for what looked like being a excellent comeback win on the road, after Martin Boyle had given Hibs a first-half advantage.

But two free-kicks from Nicky Cadden proved their undoing. Firstly, the substitute's curling delivery from the right caused Sam Cleall-Harding to sclaff his clearance, allowing Elie Youan to tap home the equaliser.

Then another expertly taken delivery from the other side found the head of Suto, the deadline day signing making his debut from the bench, who somehow looped the ball into the corner in a dramatic finish.

It ended a three-game winless league run for David Gray's side and moves them four-points behind fourth-place Motherwell in the race for European football heading into a massive Edinburgh derby with Hearts next week.

As for United, it ended up being a crushing blow as a victory was snatched from them at the death.

They have now lost four straight league games and have fallen 11 points behind sixth-place Falkirk in the race for the top half.

Hibs and Dundee United have tended to produce thrilling games in recent times, and had already drawn 3-3 this season.

This was another absorbing contest from the start, with both sides creating, and missing, plenty of chances.

United forward Zac Sapsford had three good opportunities to score, the best of them a header just before Boyle's shot was deflected in by Cleall-Harding.

Boyle was also culpable, heading on to the bar from just a few yards out when he should have made it 2-0.

The difference, as has been the case so many times in the Premiership this season, was set-pieces.

For all the talk of specialist coaches, blocking, and body positons, the fundamentals are still players who can swing a great delivery in for others to attack.

In Cadden, Hibs have one of the best in the league. A bit-part player through injury this term, his absence has been felt. As was shown by his influence as a second-half substitute here.

His left-footed, arrowed deliveries caused panic in the United box as Hibs profited to the fullest extent.

A special mention is needed for Suto, though, whose deft header was one of the best of the season and ensured Hibs won the game to stay in touch with the top four.

United winger Trapanovski was outstanding and, on another night, his wonderful arcing deliveries to the back post from corners would have been the story.

Twice he cleared the Hibs defence at the front post to set up Graham, who slammed in as Jack Iredale tried to boot the ball away, and then Watters.

But unfortunately for him the story of United's season has been missed opportunities and self-inflicted wounds.

They have given up 18 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season - more than any other side.

Their panic at the back as Cadden rained balls into their box proved their undoing, and now with Falkirk purring their top-six hopes seem a long shot even with nine games to go until the split.

Hibernian head coach David Gray: "The biggest thing is we found a way to win. That's the most pleasing thing.

"We need to use that winning feeling as a way to kick on. Delighted with that because threw the squad together, quite stretched, a few niggles.

"You have to credit Dundee United. I felt we still had the best chance of the second half with [Martin] Boyle to go 2-0. Then it was a game of set-pieces from that point."

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "It's a cruel game at times - but we get what we deserve in the end because we don't defend our box properly. It's been the story of the season pretty much.

"Tonight is the seventh or eighth time we've been in leading positions and thrown away points. It's five or six times we've conceded three goals. We can't have a defensive record like that and be succesful.

"You can't go into games needing to score two or three to win. The bizarre thing about tonight is it's the best we've played for six or seven weeks.

"But nobody wants to hear me talking about how well we performed given the way we capitulated at the end."

Hibernian visit Tynecastle on Tuesday for a massive Edinburgh derby (20:00 GMT), while Dundee United face League 2 side Spartans at Tannadice in the Scottish Cup fifth round on Saturday (15:00).