Ross admits Hibs got lucky as hosts dominate in defeat
THERE was a fear that a goal was never coming at McDiarmid Park as referee John Beaton sounded the half-time whistle after disallowing three in the first 45 minutes.
Martin Boyle, Christian Doidge and Callum Hendry all had the ball in the back of the net in the first half, but the officials adjudged all three efforts to be against the rules of play.
Replays showed that Boyle and Doidge’s strikes were indeed chalked off correctly for offside and handball respectively.
But St Johnstone went into the break feeling aggrieved after television footage showed that striker Hendry was clearly onside when he flicked a header over Ofir Marciano with 30 minutes on the clock.
Saints looked fired up as they emerged for the second half and Callum Davidson’s team had a number of great chances to break the deadlock.
Hendry firstly did well to close down Paul Hanlon and trick his way into the box before firing low across goal. Much to the frustration of Davidson, there was no takers on the end.
Jason Kerr then marched forward from his defensive berth to join a Saints attack. The big central defender played a give and go with Danny McNamara before hitting the byeline and firing a low ball across the goal front. Again there were no St Johnstone players gambling in the box.
McNamara then had a shot of his own from range and he forced Marciano into tipping his fizzed effort up and over the bar.
The dominance continued for Saints as Liam Craig went close from range just moments later. But the Perth side would end up ruing their missed chances as they walked away from this Premiership clash pointless.
Hibs executed the perfect snatch and grab victory in the dying stages after being on the backfoot for the best part of the match.
Again, the officials were at the centre of controversy when whistler Beaton awarded Jack Ross’s team a penalty on 90 minutes after he adjudged Liam Gordon to have bundled over Ryan Porteous.
The decision enraged Davidson and his players, but Stevie Mallan stayed calm and composed to smash home past Elliot Parish to send Ross’s team back to league.
Craig was subsequently given his marching orders for his protests to the referee, and Saints manager Davidson shared his frustrations at full-time.
Asked if his players angry, Davidson said: disappointed and angry.
“We weren’t good enough in the first half. It was a credit to how Hibs played. I asked for a reaction in the second half and my players gave me that.
“We were excellent and were joint top of the were “Aye, the only team looking like winning the game. To lose it in that way was a bitter pill to swallow.”
On the penalty, Davidson added: “Let’s just say there were a lot of hands up in the box.
“What I will say is he gives the referee an opportunity by raising his hands. I can’t say anymore. There are another couple of hands there to create momentum for certain players.
“It’s hard to take, especially after the decision in the first half. At quite raw.”
On the flip side, Ross was delighted to come away from Perth with three points in the bag, despite his team not performing to the best of their ability.
He said: “I thought first half we were good. I was satisfied at half-time.
“Callum got a reaction from his team and I thought they were better than us in the second half.
“We made as many changes the moment it’s as we could and tried to get as many attacking players on the pitch to try to help us. Although we didn’t play as well we got slightly better and obviously a penalty kick at the end which to fall our way is great.
“To come away from home, another clean sheet and win the game is satisfying.”
Ross also hailed Mallan after the Hibs attacker marked his first appearance of the season with a winning goal.
He added: “I said to him to go on and win the game for us. I didn’t imagine it would be in that manner.
“I feel he has got quality and this is the first week when he has been really fit. He’s had a problem with his knee for a while now. Even when he came back in pre-season it wasn’t quite right.
“We have worked hard at fixing that for him and I think this week of training is the best he’s felt. Although he was on the bench last week, this is the first time he’s really been at our disposal.
“I’m pleased and will help his confidence because it’s been a difficult period for him.
“He was always on the team sheet so it must have been a mistake if he wasn’t listed on the one you guys got.”