The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Higginbotham key to fightback
HIBERNIAN 2 DUNFERMLINE 2
Dunfermline’s Kallum Higginbotham admits he was lucky not to see red, but insists Hibs were fortunate to come away with a point from Saturday’s pulsating 2-2 Championship draw.
The Fife outfit showed great fighting character to come back from losing two goals after just 24 minutes and in the end were aggrieved they did not collect all the spoils after creating a series of match-winning opportunities.
Higginbotham brought the Pars level with a sublime half-volley seconds after the restart, with Paul McMullan having reduced their arrears in the first half.
Experienced former Kilmarnock playmaker Higginbotham was then fortunate not to be shown a second yellow card on the hour mark for a late challenge on Andrew Shinnie, although the 27-year-old insists he should never have picked up a booking in the first place.
Higginbotham was cautioned by referee John Beaton after squaring up to Fraser Fyvie having been the victim of a cynical trip.
He said: “It left me on the edge and I had a tackle in the second half that I brought Shinnie down, I’ve seen them given as yellow cards.
“He’s given me a yellow card which wasn’t one and he’s let me off with the tackle so I’ve got no complaints towards the referee.
“I thought I was unlucky to get the yellow card to be honest with you – I’ve not touched the boy.
“He’s done me from behind and I jump up, I’m not a player that’s going to be rolling about the pitch – that’s not my style. There’s a huddle and he just says that he needs to pick someone, and I was the unlucky one to get a yellow card.
“I think it’s a shocking rule to be honest. I’ve done absolutely nothing and I’ve got a yellow card, which could be vital at the end of the season. I might end up missing a game.”
But Higginbotham was influential as the Pars mounted a comeback that seemed unlikely at 2-0.
Martin Boyle opened the scoring after just six minutes for the hosts with a back post half-volley from a Jason Cummings cross.
Pacy winger Boyle then won a penalty after being tripped by Jason Talbot and Cummings made no mistake from the spot.
But the visitors were given a lifeline when Hibs captain David Gray took a fresh air swipe at Nicky Clark’s through ball and McMullan raced clear before burying a left-footed drive beyond Ofir Marciano.
Higginbotham volleyed in Michael Moffat’s cross seconds after the restart before Hibs keeper Marciano pulled of a string of stunning saves to deny Moffat and Clark as Allan Johnston’s side laid siege to the Hibs goal.
Higginbotham added: “I was delighted with my finish and it came at a great time as well.
“That gave us the kick we needed at the beginning of the second half.
“At 2-0 down you would have taken a point but when we got back level we had three or four great chances.
“Their keeper’s had a fantastic game and we’re coming away disappointed that we’ve not won.
“Whatever way you look at it, it’s a great point in the end.
“At 2-0 down you think you’re going to get a doing. But we got a goal soon after they scored their second, which was a blessing.
“For the rest of the first half I thought we were on top and we were miles better in the second half.”
Dunfermline’s only blip in 11 league matches was a defeat to Falkirk but with six draws among that sequence, the East End Park club remain 15 points adrift of the play-offs.