Neil admits Hibs are making hard work of sealing title
Neil Lennon did all his talking off the pitch – but champions- elect Hibs forgot to do theirs on it.
‘Square- Go Gate’ possibly had some effect on Lennon’s men as they stuttered to a draw at East End Park.
John McGinn’s superb opener in 13 minutes was cancelled out by a Kallum Higginbotham penalty just before the hour.
The stalemate saw Hibs’ lead at the top reduced to nine points with five games remaining.
And Lenny admits his men are making heav y weather of clinching their return to the top flight after a three-year absence.
He said: “It is a step closer to the title – but we are dragging it out. It is frustrating.
“We missed gilt-edged chances after half time. I don’t know how we missed them – it seemed harder to miss than score. So I am disappointed we haven’t won when we were in total control.”
McGinn’s early strike was a real cracker. He picked up the ball 25 yards out and hit a low screamer past keeper Sean Murdoch.
The Pars could have been level in 20 minutes but Michael Moffat couldn’t find the net after keeper Ofir Marciano’s miss-kick.
Marciano saved from a Callum Morris header but Hibs were still ahead at the break.
The second half was barely two minutes old when McGinn forced a fine save from Murdoch then Brian Graham screwed wide from just three yards out.
But Dunfermline were handed a lifeline by ref Greg Aitken, acting on the advice of linesman Wi l lie Fergsuon, when he awarded a penalty for hand-ball.
Higginbotham rammed home the spot-kick despite Marciano guessing the right way.
All eyes were on Lennon after his bad- tempered spat with Morton boss Jim Duf f y in midweek and his angry press conference on Friday.
And yesterday he took out his frustration on match ref Aitken for his penalty award.
Lennon said: “Whether it was a penalty or not is debatable. My player was a yard away and maybe his arm is in an unnatural position – but it was harsh.
“If it was the correct decision then in my view it was one of the only ones he got right all day.”
Pars boss Allan Johnston said: “A draw was probably fair.
“My lads showed character to come back against the team that’s top of the league.”