Hecky’s flops just can’t sit on a lead
Paul Heckingbottom hated sitting in the stands but it is performances that continue to turn up the temperature in the Hibs hot seat.
The Easter Road gaffer served the first of his two-game ban for lashing out against Celtic last month as his side slumped to a draw at Hamilton.
The view was different for the manager but the performance was familiar as Hibs surrendered a lead for the fifth time in just seven games to slump to 10th in the table.
Heckingbottom’s side were cruising after Stevie Mallan’s first-half stunner but the goal hero conceded a penalty for Ross Cunningham to slam in and it was deja vu all over again.
The Hibs manager admitted it was uncomfortable watching and not just because he didn’t get a clear sight of the Accies penalty or Christian Doidge’s late strike that was ruled out. Heckingbottom said: “I hated it in the stands, every bit of it.
“You can just replay the last three times I have sat in front of you and write the same things, same story.
“There was some real good play, especially in the first half, and we could not put the game to bed. Our goalkeeper has not had a save to make and we are not getting three points.”
It’s hard to figure this Hibs team out. They were more than good value for their lead.
Doidge went close with two headers and there was also a horror miss from Daryl Horgan.
The winger had a clear sight of goal just six yards out after a brilliant move involving Doidge and Joe Newell.
But he somehow managed to shank his effort wide. Mallan spared his blushes soon after though with a superb strike a f ter the ba l l dropped deliciously in to his path following another Newell pass.
The playmaker caught it right in the sweet spot and his drive whistled into the bottom corner.
Hibs continued to play some decent stuff.
Hamilton had offered little but perked up a little after the interval and it only takes a hint of a shove to get Hibs rocking.
The penalty came from nowhere mind you.
Mallan was this time left looking sheepish when Blair Alston was first to the bouncing ball in the box and left sprawled out on the deck.
Sub Cunningham – who’d only been on the pitch a few minutes – nearly removed the net from the rigging with his thumped spot-kick.
It was just the lift Accies needed and Hibs, having been on cruise control, were looking shaky as Scott McMann stung Chris Maxwell’s palms after a cool ball from George Oakley. kl
Lewis Stevenson launched one in to the Sainsbury’s car park and Newell unsuccessfully howled for a penalty after a nudge from Accies full- back Brian Easton.
Doidge did have the ball in the net but got caught handling the ball on the way and the effort was ruled out.
“Our point of view was mi les away so I don’t know ,” said Heckingbottom.
“The ref gave it quickly so I don’t know if the ball brushed his hand.
“I have seen the penalty decision from a long way away. While it looks soft, I can understand why it has been given by the ref. That should not affect theh outcome off theh game.
“I want to be talking about those positive things but I’m not. That’s the frustrating thing.”
Heckingbottom has another game to go in the stands but it must feel more l ike bed of nails right now.