NISBET SINKS COUNTY

Hibs strengthen grip on third spot to leave Staggies in a sweat

ROSS COUNTY took a trip down memory lane yesterday five years to the day since they defeated Hibs in the League Cup final.

But there was no anniversary waltz for the Staggies as Hibs gained a form of revenge in the shape of a hard-fought victory to move six points clear of Aberdeen in the race to finish third in the Premiership.

Billy Mckay fired the home side in front early in the second half only for Martin Boyle to equalise from the spot almost immediately before Kevin Nisbet claimed the 60th-minute match-winner.

Hibs had failed to score against County in their previous two meetings this season, a draw and a 2-0 defeat at Easter Road.

But on what was also the 11th anniversary of County beating Hibs on their own patch on their way to an unsuccessful Scottish Cup final meeting with Dundee United, the 10th-placed Staggies were unable to find the necessary cutting edge to improve their survival prospects.

That said, there was enough about the home side’s play and positive attitude to suggest that they have enough about them to beat the drop and also avoid a dreaded relegation play-off.

John Hughes, the County manager, also questioned the validity of Hibs’ spot-kick, while at the same time stressing that he was not criticising the referee John Beaton.

Hibs, meanwhile, took another sizeable step forward in their quest to lord it over the Dons with six games remaining.

County, seeking back-to-back victories in the Premiership for the first time since August, following their crucial home win against Kilmarnock, were fortunate to escape punishment early on after some sloppy defensive play.

Leo Hjelde carelessly played a slack pass straight into the path of Boyle to the right of goal after four minutes to gift Hibs a glorious opportunity to open the scoring.

Fortunately for County’s on-loan teenager, Hibs were unable to capitalise on their surprise opening.

Boyle played his part as scripted, but Chris Cadden failed to compose himself before unleashing a wild shot over the crossbar.

Josh Doig was much more controlled when he conjured up a shot out of nothing in the 21st minute, with County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw relieved to see the midfielder’s effort drift just over the junction of the crossbar and far post.

Aside from those moments, there was little to recommend a first half where Hibs enjoyed more possession without actually putting their opponents under pressure.

Given that they had lost their previous two matches, the Hibs players were perhaps understandably a little edgy to start with before growing in confidence.

County for their part were unable to create a single shot on target as they struggled to find their A-game.

Fears that the second half might turn out to be a replica of the first 45 minutes were quickly dispelled.

Within seven minutes of the restart we had two goals and a whole lot of excitement as the game opened up, rapidly developing into a ding-dong battle fully deserving of a live audience.

Somewhat surprisingly, given their failure to threaten a goal in the opening period, County struck first after 50 minutes.

Hibs’ failure to spot the twin threat posed by Jason Naismith and Jordan White allowed the pair to combine to set up Mckay for the opener.

Naismith’s cross from the right was partially cleared by Ryan Porteous only as far as White, who sent the ball back in for Mckay to shoot past Hibs keeper Ofir Marciano from the centre of the penalty box.

But County’s lead was ridiculously short-lived, lasting barely one minute.

Alex Iacovitti’s challenge on Boyle was deemed worthy of a penaltykick by referee Beaton and the Hibs striker obliged with the equaliser when he fired the ball straight down the middle in the 52nd minute.

County should really have regained the lead five minutes later as they piled forward in an effort to catch their opponents off guard.

Keith Watson’s shot was blocked by Marciano before White hit the rebound straight at the Hibs keeper.

The, by now, frenetic nature of the encounter was highlighted by

Laidlaw having to make a save from Alex Gogic on the hour mark.

But the County keeper was unable to deny substitute Nisbet — who had replaced Cadden — at the back post after Paul Hanlon had made a delivery from the left side.

It was the previously prolific Nisbet’s first goal since slapping in a transfer request in late January after Hibs had rejected a bid from Birmingham City.

There was no let-up in the intensity of the play and County came within a whisker of equalising in the 76th minute.

In the event, White’s header from the centre of the box was kept out only by the width of the far post after Hjelde had set up the opening with a cross.

It would have taken a brave man to predict the eventually outcome at that point, with both teams adopting a cut-and-thrust approach.

But Hibs were effectively in the box seat as the clock ran down and County became increasingly desperate in their efforts to snatch a late point. Had they done so it would have been no more than they deserved after matching Hibs for effort and commitment.

But bottom-of-the-table Kilmarnock were the winners without kicking a ball, with their principal relegation rivals — County and Hamilton — both losing.

ROSS COUNTY (3-5-1-1): Laidlaw; Donaldson (Gardyne 68), Watson, Iacovitti (Shaw 83); Naismith, Spittal (Hylton 63), Tillson (Paton 68), Lakin (Draper 69), Hjelde; White; Mckay.

Subs (not used): Hilton, Vigurs, Charles-Cook, Kelly. Booked: White.

HIBERNIAN (4-4-2): Marciano; McGinn, Porteous, Hanlon, Doig (Stevenson 78); Cadden (Nisbet 52), Irvine, Gogic, Newell; Boyle, Doidge (McGregor 88).

Subs (not used): Macey, Gray, Magennis, Wright, Hallberg, Allan.

Booked: Newell, Boyle.

Referee: John Beaton.