Hughes hoping to kick on after Raith hold Hibs
GIVEN the anger that Neil Lennon expressed after this encounter, it would not have been a surprise had he made his players walk back across the Forth to Edinburgh.
His Hibernian team were a ‘disgrace’, ‘unprofessional’ and were once again left frustrated by Raith Rovers.
As furious as Lennon was, there is a chance these dropped points may not prove to be disastrous in their bid to win the Championship.
But that is not enough for the Northern Irishman, who is fighting to restore a winning mentality to a team desperate to escape Scotland’s second tier at the third attempt.
Rovers gained a precious point. Buoyed by the arrival of new manager John Hughes, they showed fight and bottle — something desperately lacking for months.
They remain without a win since October but there was plenty to be positive about against Lennon’s title-chasing side.
As poor as the Kirkcaldy team’s form has been, they remain unbeaten against Hibs this season.
Former Hearts midfielder Ryan Stevenson fired the hosts ahead on 52 minutes, but Jason Cummings’ free-kick on the hour mark ensured the spoils would be shared for the third time this season.
‘The effort and the commitment was there,’ said Hughes, whose side are four points above the relegation play-off spot. ‘We shaded the first half and Hibs were the better team in the second half.
‘My frustration is that we need a bit of experience to know when to do the right things. If we can learn quickly, we’ll be better for it.
‘Both goals were fantastic. The work the boys have put in this week has been great. That has to come naturally — I can’t be coaching that.
‘We’ve set a benchmark and, hopefully, we can kick on.’
Lennon made two changes from last week’s Scottish Cup derby draw at Tynecastle. Liam Fontaine replaced Jordon Forster in defence, while former Raith striker Brian Graham came in for Grant Holt up front.
Stevenson almost haunted Hibs after 12 minutes, but his free-kick from 20 yards was parried by goalkeeper Ofir Marciano.
Minutes later, Mark Stewart slipped the ball to Ross Callachan, whose shot from the edge of the box flew just wide.
Hibs were huffing and puffing, but not really going anywhere. Cummings and Graham were starved of service from midfield, although the latter claimed for a penalty five minutes before the break, but to no avail.
Raith broke the deadlock seven minutes after the interval thanks to Stevenson. The ball fell to the midfielder 20 yards from goal and his shot flew past Marciano.
Lennon introduced Chris Humphrey for Fraser Fyvie, while Hughes made a triple substitution.
The replacements barely had a moment to settle as Cummings equalised in superb style on the hour mark.
Not for the first time this season, his left foot did the damage. Craig Barr fouled the Hibs striker near the right corner of the penalty box. Cummings stepped up and curled his effort into the top-right corner.
Hibs suffered a blow with a quarter of the game left, when James Keatings picked up a knock and was replaced by Martin Boyle.
But the momentum remained with the men from Leith. Cummings shifted on to his left foot on the edge of the box and his low drive across goal fizzed narrowly wide.
There was a heart-in-mouth moment in the dying seconds for Raith as Humphrey’s cross from the right was begging for a touch, but no one in green could connect.