BATTLING FIFERS BRING TITLE-CHASING HIBS CRASHING BACK DOWN TO EARTH
Keeper the hero for Lennon’s tired men
HIBERNIAN’S demanding Edinburgh derby exertions caught up with them after they somehow withstood a second-half onslaught from an impressive Dunfermline side to claim a point.
Just as they did in their memorable 3-1 Scottish Cup victory over city rivals Hearts last week, the hosts came racing out of the blocks and were two up inside 24 minutes through Martin Boyle and Jason Cummings.
At that stage, it looked like the Pars were going to be on the end of a hiding.
But Hibs captain David Gray’s error gifted Paul McMullan a goal moments after Cummings’ penalty, and the visitors completed the comeback seconds after the restart through Kallum Higginbotham. With Hibs dead on their feet, goalkeeper Ofir Marciano rescued his team with a string of fine saves to ensure the Championship leaders preserved their seven point advantage at the top.
‘Mentally and physically, they were tired,’ admitted manager Neil Lennon, who has now been left with a centraldefensive crisis after Liam Fontaine was forced off with an ankle injury in the first half.
‘I knew Wednesday night would take a lot out of them, so I am pleased with the point. And sometimes you need your goalkeeper. It’s not often Ofir has been called upon this season and he made some magnificent saves.
‘We may have lost that game last season. We now have to rest and recover. I need to get some bodies back.’
Lennon thought Pars striker Higginbotham should have earned a second yellow card in the second half for a foul on Andrew Shinnie.
The hosts went into the teatime kick-off knowing they could extend their lead on Dundee United to nine points after their promotion rivals had drawn with Morton.
The Hibs fans were in good spirits following Wednesday’s victory and the volume inside the stadium was raised after just six minutes when Boyle gave their team an early lead.
Cummings chased down Shinnie’s pass on the left flank and picked out Boyle with a sumptuous cross. The winger powered a half-volley into the net from close range.
Hibs doubled their advantage in 24 minutes when Cummings stroked home an accomplished penalty after Boyle had been brought down in the box by Jason Talbot.
Lennon’s side were dominant but an error from captain Gray gave Dunfermline a lifeline.
The full-back missed Nicky Clark’s through ball and McMullan raced clear to shoot past Marciano.
Suddenly the atmosphere inside the stadium changed. Hibs were tense.
McMullan strode forward unchallenged and had a drive pushed over by Marciano.
Dunfermline then exploited the home side’s anxiety just 27 seconds after the restart when Higginbotham volleyed them level with a drive after a pass from Michael Moffat.
Dunfermline were looking more likely to add a third. Moffat hit the crossbar before Marciano scrambled Clark’s effort clear.
Hibs were on the ropes and had Marciano to thank again in the 76th minute when he kept out Clark’s header.
‘A point is a good result here but we’re disappointed we didn’t come away with three,’ said Pars boss Allan Johnston.