Saints’ late lapse
utes, with Drey Wright coming on to face the club he left last summer. He had an immediate chance to make an impact when found one-on-one down Hibs’ right by Allan, but his final ball was badly miscued and the chance was lost.
The diminishing level of Hibs’ attacks were clearly irking Allan, who was booked for one of those petulant fouls managers must hate, and his race was run shortly afterwards when Mallan – making his first appearance since Boxing Day last year due to a knee complaint – replaced him.
Hibs then threw on Jamie Gullan to add another forward into the fray, but it was Doidge who had Hibs’ best opening as the match entered the latter stages. Mallan found him free with a raking pass, but the impressive Kerr was again alert and threw himself in front of the ball to divert it away for a corner.
That appeared to be the best of the final 15 minutes as the match meandered towards its conclusion. But as stoppage time began, Hibs made one last surge. Gogic struck the inside of the post with a header and when the ball was swung back in, Gordon fouled Porteous and Beaton pointed instantly to the penalty spot. Mallan made no mistake and the Hibs bench erupted.
It all got too much for poor Liam Craig, who was sent off after the final whistle for some dissent. Saints played well and their day will come. For Hibs, their day is right now – but they will need to play better than this to stay at the summit with Aberdeen, Rangers and Celtic lying in wait within their next tranche of four matches.