VITAL HORGAN
0-1 1-2 BETFRED CUP 1-1 Daryl’s winner sees Hibs through after a thrilling contest in Leith
NEIL LENNON and referee Kevin Clancy have never been close bedfellows.
But just as their relationship threatened to suffer another breakdown up stepped Daryl Horgan to save Hibs’ day against Ross County.
The new Easter Road recruit ensured any post-match controversies weren’t to dominate despite the whistler risking the Northern Irishman’s wrath by awarding a penalty that threatened to send his side out the competition.
A thrilling Betfred Cup clash in Edinburgh had Lennon’s men twice fighting back from behind to book a quarter-final meeting with Aberdeen but not after being given an almighty fright by County.
Michael Gardyne’s opener and a Josh Mullin spot-kick had County twice ahead only for David Gray and Stevie Mallan strikes to peg the Highlanders back before Horgan’s brilliant injury-time winner.
Lennon made six changes from the side that suffered a midweek Europa League exit in Molde with the most significant being Ross Laidlaw replacing Adam Bogdan in goal and Oli Shaw led the line in the absence of Florian Kamberi.
It may have appeared radical but the likes of Emerson Hyndman, Scott Martin and Gray were more than able replacements.
County resisted temptation to make any alterations to a starting line-up that had beaten Dunfermline in their previous outing.
The Highlanders were in search of a fifth successive victory as confidence has been flowing through the seams of a side now establishing why they’ve forged the tag as the Championship’s title favourites.
There was a claim for quickest booking of the season for Iain Vigurs as he crashed into Mallan straight from kick off.
It may have been cynical but it was also a statement of intent as County set about the task of unsettling their hosts and their direct approach paid off in the 10th minute.
Sean Kelly’s floated free-kick from the right was headed to the edge of the box and Gardyne drilled his shot perfectly, swerving in at Laidlaw’s left-hand post.
It was a reward for an attacking and inventive opening from County but also provided Hibs with a wake-up call which was heeded.
Martin Boyle’s run and shot had Scott Fox pushing the effort past a post in the 13th minute and 60 seconds later it was all square.
Horgan’s cross allowed Gray to climb above Keith Watson and bury a header into the net.
It should have been advantage Hibs in the 18th minute as Boyle played a one two with Shaw and was tripped by Callum Morris but managed to stay on his feet in time to find a finish that Fox beat wide.
Sometimes in football, honesty just doesn’t pay.
Boyle’s pace was causing chaos for County and another Fox block denied the midfielder in 23 minutes after his incisive dash through the heart of the opposing defence. Another Boyle attempt was blocked by Watson as County were now putting bodies on the line to try and keep the Easter Road side out. Then came a bit of handbags on the goal-line after Laidlaw had clawed Mullin’s free-kick off the line and Morris went into the book for an aggressive attempt to dislodge the ball from his grasp.
Steven Whittaker came on for Martin at the break as Hibs set about asserting their superiority.
But it was County who again started better with a Gardyne shot blocked in the 48th minute and then Laidlaw brilliantly pushed a Vigurs free-kick over the top just as the ball looked destined for the top corner.
Hibs then gifted the Highlanders a penalty in the 64th minute and no prizes for guessing it was Efe Ambrose who inexplicably clipped the ankle of Declan McManus as the striker made his way away from goal.
Clancy correctly pointed to the spot and Mullin produced an emphatic finish.
Once again it was a County goal that sparked Hibs as Mallan’s 20-yard daisy cutter beat Fox in the 70th minute and the tie was level.
The comeback was complete just as the clock ticked into injury time as Horgan brilliantly curled a low shot past Fox from the edge of the box.
It was a moment of brilliance with the mark of class written all over it and a fitting way to win a contest that was action packed and captivating from start to finish.